The Ecology of Northern Australian Dacinae (Diptera:Tephritidae) I. Host Phenology and Utilization of Opilia amentacea Roxb. (Opiliaceae) by Dacus (Bactrocera) opiliae Drew & Hardy, with notes on some other species.

Abstract

A newly discovered species of tephritid, Dacus (Bactrocera) opiliae Drew & Hardy, is almost indistinguishable morphologically from the Oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis. and was originally believed to represent an invading population of that species. Breeding by D. opiliae is virtually restricted to the fruit of the native vine Opilia amentacea throughout coastal areas of the Northern Territory and the Kimberleys region of Western Australia. The phenology of the host and aspects of its utilization by D. opiliae are described. Fruit suitable for oviposition is available only for a short period each year from late November to early January. It is shown that D, opiliae is effectively univoltine. Although it was able to infest various cultivated fruits in the laboratory, no evidence of such infestations by natural populations of D. opiliae was recorded during this study and the species seem to present no threat to Australia's fruit-growing industries. Information on host relations of D. jarvisi (Tryon), D. aquilonis (May) and D. tenuifascia (May) is also presented.