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The tripunctata group falls under the subgenus Drosophila Falln, 1823 of the genus Drosophila Falln, 1823, and is composed of four subgroups and 17 species not assigned to subgroups. This group is widely distributed throughout tropical regions and is predominantly found in preserved forest environments. With a predicted high number of cryptic species, the occurrence of intraspecific morphological polymorphisms made it difficult to establish lines in the laboratory. The capture of males for comparison of the terminalia makes it hard to identify and delimit species; however, these difficulties can be overcome through the use of techniques such as searching for species in naturally occurring places, establishing isofemale lines in the laboratory, or using molecular techniques. In this work, we search for imagoes of species of the tripunctata group over present fallen flowers of the Lecythidaceae on the ground of the Amazon rainforest. The collected individuals were morphologically and molecularly analyzed. This species is described here under the binomial Drosophila lecythus sp. nov.

Two uncommon genera of Steganinae (Drosophilidae) are herein studied based on material from the Neotropical Region, Pseudiastata Coquillett and Hyalistata Wheeler. Additional records for Pseudiastata Coquillett are provided, including the redescription of the species Pseudiastata brasiliensis Costa Lima, originally described in 1937. An update to the morphological nomenclature is also proposed, as well as a lectotype and some paralectotype designations. Moreover, the genus Hyalistata Wheeler, for which two new species are described (Hyalistata cerradensis sp. nov. and Hyalistata emas sp. nov.) is first recorded in Brazil. We present photographs and detailed illustrations of the terminalia of all species described here.

The phylogeny of the Colocasiomyia cristata species group is reconstructed as a hypothesis, based on DNA sequences of two mitochondrial and six nuclear genes and 51 morphological characters. The resulting tree splits this species group into two clades, one of which corresponds to the colocasiae subgroup. Therefore, a new species subgroup named as the cristata subgroup is established for the other clade. Within the cristata subgroup, three subclades are recognized and each of them is defined as a species complex: the cristata complex composed of five species (including three new ones: C. kinabaluana sp. nov., C. kotana sp. nov. and C. matthewsi sp. nov.), the sabahana complex of two species (C. sabahana sp. nov. and C. sarawakana sp. nov.), and the xenalocasiae complex of five species (including C. sumatrana sp. nov. and C. leucocasiae sp. nov.). There are, however, three new species (C. ecornuta sp. nov., C. grandis sp. nov. and C. vieti sp. nov.) not assigned to any species complex. In addition, breeding habits are described for four cristata-subgroup species, each of which monopolizes its specific host plant. And, data of host-plant use are compiled for all species of the cristata group from records at various localities in the Oriental and Papuan regions. The evolution of host-plant selection and sharing modes is considered by mapping host-plant genera of each species on the phylogenetic tree resulting from the present study.

A new species belonging to the previously monotypic steganine genus Mayagueza Wheeler, 1960 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is described. The new species, Mayagueza lopesi sp. nov., was collected in the Brazilian Cerrado. This is the first record of this genus for South America, and the description of the new species, based on male and female adult specimens, includes photographs and detailed illustrations of male and female terminalia.

Some leafmining fly species are pests of agricultural and ornamental plants but they also include many species with little economic importance. The taxonomy of leafmining flies is often challenging because of putative cryptic species. Following new outbreaks of Liriomyza (Diptera:Agromyzidae) in Australia, we here characterize 13 dipteran leafminer species collected from Australia based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) DNA barcodes, and we compare these with overseas data. We confirm barcodes of nine species from the Agromyzidae (Liriomyza sativae, L. huidobrensis, L. trifolii, L. bryoniae, L. chinensis, L. brassicae, L. chenopodii, Phytomyza plantaginis and P. syngenesiae) and one species from the Drosophilidae (Scaptomyza flava); we describe new haplotypes for some of these species. Furthermore, we provide the first DNA barcodes for two species (Cerodontha milleri and Phytoliriomyza praecellens) from the Agromyzidae and one species (Scaptomyza australis) from the Drosophilidae. These findings provide a baseline for DNA-based identification of pest Liriomyza incursions spreading across the Australian east coast in relation to other species already present in Australia., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

There are 130 described species in the genus Mycodrosophila Oldenberg, 1914, distributed across all biogeographic regions. Most of these species show essential mycophagy. Currently, ten species are known from the Neotropical Region, nine of which are found in the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Pampa biomes of Brazil. In this study, we describe the adult external morphology and structures of male and/or female terminalia for two new species from the Amazon Biome of Brazil. In addition, we propose a new species group, the Mycodrosophila neoprojectans group, encompassing the two new species described here, together with three previously described species from the Neotropics.

Eukaryotic nucleic acid methyltransferase (MTase) proteins are essential mediators of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation. DNMT2 belongs to a large, conserved family of DNA MTases found in many organisms, including holometabolous insects such as fruit flies and mosquitoes, where it is the lone MTase. Interestingly, despite its nomenclature, DNMT2 is not a DNA MTase, but instead targets and methylates RNA species. A growing body of literature suggests that DNMT2 mediates the host immune response against a wide range of pathogens, including RNA viruses. Curiously, although DNMT2 is antiviral in Drosophila , its expression promotes virus replication in mosquito species. We, therefore, sought to understand the divergent regulation, function, and evolution of these orthologs. We describe the role of the Drosophila -specific host protein IPOD in regulating the expression and function of fruit fly DNMT2. Heterologous expression of these orthologs suggests that DNMT2's role as an antiviral is host-dependent, indicating a requirement for additional host-specific factors. Finally, we identify and describe potential evidence of positive selection at different times throughout DNMT2 evolution within dipteran insects. We identify specific codons within each ortholog that are under positive selection and find that they are restricted to four distinct protein domains, which likely influence substrate binding, target recognition, and adaptation of unique intermolecular interactions. Collectively, our findings highlight the evolution of DNMT2 in Dipteran insects and point to structural, regulatory, and functional differences between mosquito and fruit fly homologs.

A fully annotated catalog of genus- and species-group names of Neotropical Lauxaniidae (Diptera: Lauxanioidea) is presented, providing details of references to these names in literature, and providing additional details such as distributions, generic combinations, synonymies, misspellings and emendations, information on types, notes on unusual situations, etc. As this catalog is meant to supplement the older Catalog of the Diptera of America North of Mexico, to complete the cataloging of the New World Lauxaniidae, "Neotropical" is herein inclusive of everything south of the United States, and the Nearctic parts of Mexico are not separately distinguished. The catalog is organized alphabetically within each of the three lauxaniid subfamilies, Eurychoromyiinae, Homoneurinae and Lauxaniinae, treating 91 available genus-group names, of which 77 represent valid genera. In the species-group, the catalog treats 441 available species-group names, of which 391 represent valid Neotropical lauxaniid species, 39 are invalid, three are valid but extralimital lauxaniids, five are valid but removed from Lauxaniidae, and two are new replacement names for two homonyms outside Lauxaniidae. The following nine new genera are described, based on previously described species: Elipolambda Gaimari Silva (type species, Sapromyza lopesi Shewell, 1989), Griphoneuromima Silva Gaimari (type species, Sapromyza frontalis Macquart, 1844b), Meraina Silva Gaimari (type species, Lauxania ferdinandi Frey, 1919), Myzaprosa Gaimari Silva (type species, Myzaprosa mallochi Gaimari Silva), Paradeceia Silva Gaimari (type species, Sapromyza sororia Williston, 1896b), Pseudodeceia Silva Gaimari (type species, Lauxania leptoptera Frey, 1919), Sericominettia Gaimari Silva (type species, Minettia argentiventris Malloch, 1928), Zamyprosa Gaimari Silva (type species, Sapromyza semiatra Malloch, 1933), and Zargopsinettia Gaimari Silva (type species, Minettia verticalis Malloch, 1928). The following four new replacement names in the species-group replace junior homonyms: Myzaprosa mallochi Gaimari Silva (for Sapromyza spinigera Malloch, 1933, nec Malloch, 1925), Pseudogriphoneura mallochi Silva Gaimari (for Minettia infuscata Malloch, 1928, nec Sciomyza infuscata Wulp, 1897), Xenochaetina hendeli Silva Gaimari (for Allogriphoneura robusta Hendel, 1936, nec Helomyza robusta Walker, 1858), Zamyprosa macquarti Gaimari Silva (for Sciomyza nigripes Blanchard, 1854, nec Sapromyza nigripes Macquart, 1844). The following six genus-group names are new synonyms: Allogriphoneura Hendel, 1925 (= Xenochaetina Malloch, 1923), Bacilloflagellomera Papp Silva, 1995 (= Stenolauxania Malloch, 1926), Haakonia Curran, 1942 (= Xenochaetina Malloch, 1923), Homoeominettia Broadhead, 1989 (= Allominettia Hendel, 1925), Paraphysoclypeus Papp Silva, 1995 (= Physoclypeus Hendel, 1907), Tibiominettia Hendel, 1936 (= Allominettia Hendel, 1925). The following 12 species-group names are new synonyms: Chaetocoelia banksi Curran, 1942 (= Chaetocoelia excepta (Walker, 1853)), Chaetocoelia tripunctata Malloch, 1926 (= Chaetocoelia excepta (Walker, 1853)), Minettia semifulva Malloch, 1933 (= Zamyprosa nigriventris (Blanchard, 1854)), Pseudogriphoneura scutellata Curran, 1934a (= Xenochaetina porcaria (Fabricius, 1805)), Sapromyza apta Walker, 1861 (= Chaetominettia mactans (Fabricius, 1787)), Sapromyza brasiliensis Walker, 1853 (= Chaetominettia corollae (Fabricius, 1805)), Sapromyza semiatra subsp. remissa Malloch, 1933 (= Zamyprosa semiatra (Malloch, 1933)), Sapromyza sordida Williston, 1896b (= Neogriphoneura sordida (Wiedemann, 1830)), Setulina geminata subsp. quadripunctata Malloch, 1941, subsp. tripunctata Malloch, 1941 subsp. verticalis Malloch, 1941 (= Setulina geminata (Fabricius, 1805)), Tibiominettia setitibia Hendel, 1932 (= Allominettia assimilis (Malloch, 1926)). The following 96 lauxaniid species-group names are in new combinations: Allominettia approximata (Malloch, 1928; Deutominettia Hendel, 1925), Allominettia assimilis (Malloch, 1926; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Allominettia rubescens (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Allominettia woldae (Broadhead, 1989; Homoeominettia Broadhead, 1989), Camptoprosopella sigma (Hendel, 1910; Procrita Hendel, 1908), Camptoprosopella verena (Becker, 1919; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Dryosapromyza pirioni (Malloch, 1933; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Elipolambda duodecimvittata (Frey, 1919; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Elipolambda lopesi (Shewell, 1989; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Elipolambda picrula (Williston, 1897; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Griphoneuromima frontalis (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Homoneura maculipennis (Loew, 1847; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Lauxanostegana albispina (Albuquerque, 1959; Steganopsis Meijere 1910), Marmarodeceia claripennis (Curran, 1934a; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Melanomyza nigerrima (Becker, 1919; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Meraina ferdinandi (Frey, 1919; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Minettia altera (Curran, 1942; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Minettia duplicata (Lynch Arribálzaga, 1893; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Minettia lateritia (Rondani, 1863; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Minettia lupulinoides (Williston, 1897; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Minettia pallens (Blanchard, 1854; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Minettia remota (Thomson, 1869; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Minettia setosa (Thomson, 1869; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Myzaprosa chiloensis (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Myzaprosa emmesa (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Myzaprosa triloba (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Neodecia albovittata (Loew, 1862; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Neodecia bivittata (Curran, 1928b; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Neodecia flavipennis (Curran, 1928b; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Neodecia vittifacies (Curran, 1931; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Neominettia eronis (Curran, 1934a; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Neominettia lebasii (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Neominettia melanaspis (Wiedemann, 1830; Sciomyza Fallén, 1820d), Neoxangelina congruens (Hendel, 1910; Physegenua Macquart, 1848a/b), Neoxangelina facialis (Wiedemann, 1830; Sciomyza Fallén, 1820d), Neoxangelina flavipes (Hendel, 1926; Physegenua Macquart, 1848a/b), Paracestrotus albipes (Fabricius, 1805; Scatophaga Fabricius, 1805), Paradeceia incidens (Curran, 1934a; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Paradeceia shannoni (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Paradeceia sororia (Williston, 1896b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Physegenua annulata (Macquart, 1844b; Ephydra Fallén, 1810), Physoclypeus nigropleura (Papp Silva, 1995; Paraphysoclypeus Papp Silva, 1995), Poecilohetaerus suavis (Loew, 1847; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilolycia blanchardi (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilolycia lineatocollis (Blanchard, 1854; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia aibonito (Curran, 1926; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Poecilominettia bipunctata (Say, 1829; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia evittata (Malloch, 1926; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Poecilominettia mona (Curran, 1926; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Poecilominettia nigropunctata (Malloch, 1928; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Poecilominettia plantaris (Thomson, 1869; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia quichuana (Brèthes, 1922; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia schwarzi (Malloch, 1928; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia sonax (Giglio-Tos, 1893; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia thomsonii (Lynch-Arribálzaga, 1893; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilominettia triseriata (Coquillett, 1904a; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Pseudocalliope albomarginata (Malloch, 1933; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Pseudodeceia leptoptera (Frey, 1919; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Pseudogriphoneura albipes (Wiedemann, 1830; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Pseudominettia argyrostoma (Wiedemann, 1830; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Ritaemyia unifasciata (Macquart, 1835; Tephritis Latreille, 1804), Sciosapromyza fuscinervis (Malloch, 1926; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Sciosapromyza limbinerva (Rondani, 1848; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Sciosapromyza scropharia (Fabricius, 1805; Scatophaga Fabricius, 1805), Scutominettia guyanensis (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Sericominettia argentiventris (Malloch, 1928; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Sericominettia aries (Curran, 1942; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Sericominettia holosericea (Fabricius, 1805; Scatophaga Fabricius, 1805), Sericominettia nigra (Curran, 1934a; Pseudogriphoneura Hendel, 1907), Sericominettia velutina (Walker, 1853; Helomyza Fallén, 1820a), Stenolauxania flava (Silva, 1999a; Bacilloflagellomera Papp Silva, 1995), Stenolauxania fusca (Silva, 1999a; Bacilloflagellomera Papp Silva, 1995), Stenolauxania longicornus (Silva, 1999a; Bacilloflagellomera Papp Silva, 1995), Stenolauxania nigrifemuris (Silva, 1999a; Bacilloflagellomera Papp Silva, 1995), Stenolauxania pectinicornis (Papp Silva, 1995; Bacilloflagellomera Papp Silva, 1995), Trivialia nigrifrontata (Becker, 1919; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Trivialia scutellaris (Williston, 1896b; Phortica Schiner, 1862), Trivialia venusta (Williston, 1896b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Xenochaetina annuliventris (Hendel, 1926; Allogriphoneura Hendel, 1925), Xenochaetina glabella (Becker, 1895; Lauxania Latreille, 1804), Xenochaetina nigra (Williston, 1896b; Physegenua Macquart, 1848a/b), Xenochaetina phacosoma (Hendel, 1926; Allogriphoneura Hendel, 1925), Xenochaetina porcaria (Fabricius, 1805; Scatophaga Fabricius, 1805), Xenochaetina robusta (Walker, 1858; Helomyza Fallén, 1820a), Zamyprosa dichroa (Malloch, 1933; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Zamyprosa edwardsi (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa ferruginea (Macquart, 1844b; Opomyza Fallén, 1820b), Zamyprosa fulvescens (Blanchard, 1854; Sciomyza Fallén, 1820d), Zamyprosa fulvicornis (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa micropyga (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa nigripes (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa nigriventris (Blanchard, 1854; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa parvula (Blanchard, 1854; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa semiatra (Malloch, 1933; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Zamyprosa seminigra (Malloch, 1933; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Zargopsinettia verticalis (Malloch, 1928; Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830). The following 42 species have lectotype designations herein: Allogriphoneura nigromaculata Hendel, 1925 (synonym of Xenochaetina porcaria (Fabricius, 1805)), Allogriphoneura robusta Hendel, 1936 (= Xenochaetina hendeli Silva Gaimari), Allominettia maculifrons Hendel, 1925 (synonym of Allominettia xanthiceps (Williston, 1897)), Blepharolauxania trichocera Hendel, 1925, Chaetocoelia palans Giglio-Tos, 1893, Euminettia zuercheri Hendel, 1933b (Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Griphoneura triangulata Hendel, 1926, Lauxania albovittata Loew, 1862 (Neodecia Malloch, in Malloch McAtee, 1924), Lauxania imbuta Wiedemann, 1830 (Griphoneura Schiner, 1868), Lauxania lutea Wiedemann, 1830 (Neominettia Hendel, 1925), Lauxania ruficornis Macquart, 1851a (synonym of Xenochaetina flavipennis (Fabricius, 1805)), Neominettia fumosa Hendel, 1926 (synonym of Neominettia costalis (Fabricius, 1805)), Physegenua ferruginea Schiner, 1868, Physegenua vittata Macquart, 1848a/b, Pseudogriphoneura cormoptera Hendel, 1907, Sapromyza angustipennis Williston, 1896b (Chaetocoelia Giglio-Tos, 1893), Sapromyza distinctissima Schiner, 1868 (Chaetocoelia Giglio-Tos, 1893), Sapromyza exul Williston, 1896b (Neodecia Malloch, in Malloch McAtee, 1924), Sapromyza gigas Schiner, 1868 (Dryosapromyza Hendel, 1933a), Sapromyza ingrata Williston, 1896b (Poecilominettia Hendel, 1932), Sapromyza latelimbata Macquart, 1855a (synonym of Chaetominettia corollae (Fabricius, 1805)), Sapromyza lineatocollis Blanchard, 1854 (Poecilolycia Shewell, 1986), Sapromyza longipennis Blanchard, 1854 (= Minettia duplicata (Lynch Arribálzaga, 1893)), Sapromyza nigerrima Becker, 1919 (Melanomyza Malloch, 1923), Sapromyza nigriventris Blanchard, 1854 (Zamyprosa Gaimari Silva), Sapromyza octovittata Williston, 1896b (Poecilominettia Hendel, 1932), Sapromyza ornata Schiner, 1868 (Neoxangelina Hendel, 1933a), Sapromyza pallens Blanchard, 1854 (Minettia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), Sapromyza parvula Blanchard, 1854 (Zamyprosa Gaimari Silva), Sapromyza picrula Williston, 1897 (Elipolambda), Sapromyza puella Williston, 1896b (Trivialia Malloch, 1923), Sapromyza sororia Williston, 1896b (Paradeceia Silva Gaimari), Sapromyza venusta Williston, 1896b (Trivialia Malloch, 1923), Sapromyza xanthiceps Williston, 1897 (Allominettia Hendel, 1925), Scatophaga scropharia Fabricius, 1805 (Sciosapromyza Hendel, 1933a), Sciomyza fulvescens Blanchard, 1854 (Zamyprosa Gaimari Silva), Sciomyza melanaspis Wiedemann, 1830 (Neominettia Hendel, 1925), Sciomyza nigripes Blanchard, 1854 (= Zamyprosa macquarti Gaimari Silva), Sciomyza obscuripennis Bigot, 1857 (Physegenua Macquart, 1848a/b), Scutolauxania piloscutellaris Hendel, 1925, Trigonometopus albifrons Knab, 1914, Trigonometopus rotundicornis Williston, 1896b. The following three species are removed from being recognized as part of the Neotropical fauna: Homoneura americana (Wiedemann, 1830; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Homoneura maculipennis (Loew, 1847; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810), Poecilohetaerus suavis (Loew, 1847; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810). The following four species are removed from the family, three of which are put into the following new combinations: Senopterina cyanea (Fabricius, 1805; Lauxania Latreille, 1804) (Platystomatidae), Dihoplopyga delicatula (Blanchard, 1854; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810) (Heleomyzidae), Pherbellia geniculata (Macquart, 1844b; Sapromyza Fallén, 1810) (Sciomyzidae). The remaining species, Sapromyza fuscipes Macquart, 1844b, is of uncertain family placement within the Muscoidea. The following new replacement names for species of Platystomatidae were necessary due to homonymy: Senopterina gigliotosi Gaimari Silva (for Bricinniella cyanea Giglio-Tos, 1893, nec Lauxania cyanea Fabricius, 1805), and Rivellia macquarti Gaimari Silva (for Tephritis unifasciata Macquart, 1843: 381, nec Macquart, 1835: 465).

The Diptera genus-group names of Johann Wilhelm Meigen are reviewed, revised, and annotated. A total of 266 available genus-group names in 69 families of Diptera are listed alphabetically, including authorship, year and page of the original publication, originally included species, type species and method of fixation, current status of the name, family placement, and any emendations that have been found in the literature. Unavailable names suppressed by ICZN rulings as well as incorrect original and subsequent spellings are included as unnumbered entries. Remarks are given to clarify nomenclatural or taxonomic information. In addition, an index to all the species-group names of Diptera proposed by Meigen (3,117 in total, of which 2,966 are available) is given with a bibliographic reference to each original citation. An appendix gives a complete bibliography of all the known published writings by Meigen, non-zoological as well as zoological.                The following type species designation is proposed: Dasypogon priscus Meigen, 1820 for Podoctria Meigen, 1820, by present designation [Asilidae].                First Reviser actions for multiple original spellings that have not previously been recognized (viz., those made via ICZN Code Art. 24.2.4) or are made herein are given for the following: Chrysotus Meigen, 1824 [Dolichopodidae]; Ocydromia Meigen, 1820 [Hybotidae]; Rhamphomyia Meigen, 1822 [Empididae]; Tachypeza Meigen, 1830a [Hybotidae].                Earlier valid subsequent type-species designations have been found for the following: Ascia Meigen, 1822 [Syrphidae]; Borborus Meigen, 1803 [Sphaeroceridae]; Brachygaster Meigen, 1826 [Sepsidae]; Cephalia Meigen, 1826 [Ulidiidae]; Chrysotus Meigen, 1824 [Dolichopodidae]; Ctenophora Meigen, 1803 [Tipulidae]; Diastata Meigen, 1830a [Diastatidae]; Doros Meigen, 1803 [Syrphidae]; Erioptera Meigen, 1803 [Limoniidae]; Glochina Meigen, 1830a [Limoniidae]; Macrocera Meigen, 1803 [Keroplatidae]; Merodon Meigen, 1803 [Syrphidae]; Mesembrina Meigen, 1826 [Muscidae]; Mycetobia Meigen, 1818a [Anisopodidae]; Odontomyia Meigen, 1803 [Stratiomyidae]; Oedalea Meigen, 1820 [Hybotidae]; Phania Meigen, 1824 [Tachinidae]; Platypeza Meigen, 1803 [Platypezidae]; Platyptera Meigen, 1803 [Empididae]; Platyura Meigen, 1803 [Keroplatidae]; Spilomyia Meigen, 1803 [Syrphidae]; Stegana Meigen, 1830a [Drosophilidae]; Trineura Meigen, 1803 [Phoridae]; Ulidia Meigen, 1826 [Ulidiidae]; Xysta Meigen, 1824 [Tachinidae].                The following type species are fixed herein under ICZN Code Article 70.3.2: Rhagio ibis Fabricius, 1775 for Atherix Meigen, 1803 [Athericidae]; Coelopa pilipes Haliday, 1838 for Coelopa Meigen, 1803 [Coelopidae]; Diastata vagans Loew, 1864 for Diastata Meigen, 1803 [Diastatidae]; Tanypus punctipennis Meigen, 1818a for Tanypus Meigen, 1803 [Chironomidae]. Corrected or clarified nomenclatural status, included species, and/or corrected or clarified type-species are given for: Acrocera Meigen, 1803 [Acroceridae]; Aedes Meigen, 1818a [Culicidae]; Anisomera Meigen, 1818a [Limoniidae]; Ascia Meigen, 1822 [Syrphidae]; Atherix Meigen, 1803 [Athericidae]; Bactria Meigen, 1820 [Asilidae]; Bolitophila Meigen, 1818a [Bolitophilidae]; Borborus Meigen, 1803 [Chloropidae]; Brachygaster Meigen, 1826 [Sepsidae]; Cephalia Meigen, 1826 [Ulidiidae]; Chlorops Meigen, 1803 [Chloropidae]; Chrysotoxum Meigen, 1803 [Syrphidae]; Chrysotus Meigen, 1824 [Dolichopodidae]; Coelopa Meigen, 1830a [Coelopidae]; Ctenophora Meigen, 1803 [Tipulidae]; Dialyta Meigen, 1826 [Muscidae]; Diastata Meigen, 1830a [Diastatidae]; Dictya Meigen, 1803 [Sciomyzidae]; Diomyza Meigen, 1818a [Cecidomyiidae]; Doros Meigen, 1803 [Syrphidae]; Dorycera Meigen, 1830a [Ulidiidae]; Erioptera Meigen, 1803 [Limoniidae]; Furcomyia Meigen, 1818a [Limoniidae]; Glochina Meigen, 1830a [Limoniidae]; Hexacantha Meigen, 1803 [Stratiomyidae]; Hexatoma Meigen, 1818a [Tabanidae]; Lasiops Meigen, 1838 [Muscidae]; Leptina Meigen, 1822 [Tipulidae]; Leptocera Meigen, 1818a [Bolitophilidae]; Leucopis Meigen, 1830a, [Chamaemyiidae]; Loxocera Meigen, 1803 [Psilidae]; Macrocera Meigen, 1803 [Keroplatidae]; Marginomyia Meigen, 1818a [Limoniidae]; Merodon Meigen, 1803 [Syrphidae]; Mesembrina Meigen, 1826 [Muscidae]; Mima Meigen, 1820 [Bombyliidae]; Mycetobia Meigen, 1818a [Anisopodidae]; Nematocera Meigen, 1818a [Limoniidae]; Nodutis Meigen, 1820 [Athericidae]; Odontomyia Meigen, 1803 [Stratiomyidae]; Oedalea Meigen, 1820 [Hybotidae]; Pelecocera Meigen, 1822 [Syrphidae]; Phalangus Meigen, 1822 [Syrphidae]; Phania Meigen, 1824 [Tachinidae]; Platypeza Meigen, 1803 [Platypezidae]; Platyptera Meigen, 1803 [Empididae]; Platyura Meigen, 1803 [Keroplatidae]; Podoctria Meigen, 1820 [Asilidae]; Psilopus Meigen, 1824 [Dolichopodidae]; Sarcophaga Meigen, 1824 [Sarcophagidae]; Stegana Meigen, 1830a [Drosophilidae]; Subula Meigen, 1820 [Xylomyidae]; Tanyglossa Meigen, 1803 [Tabanidae]; Tanypus Meigen, 1803 [Chironomidae]; Therina Meigen, 1830a [Heleomyzidae]; Trineura Meigen, 1803 [Phoridae]; Ulidia Meigen, 1826 [Ulidiidae]; Unomyia Meigen, 1818a [Limoniidae]; Xylota Meigen, 1822 [Syrphidae]; Xysta Meigen, 1824 [Tachinidae].                New synonymies are proposed for the following genus-group names: Melanopangonius Szilády, 1923 under Tanyglossa Meigen, 1803, n. syn. [Tabanidae]; Planuria Meigen, 1826 under Homalura Meigen, 1826, n. syn. [Chloropidae]; Polimera Meigen, 1826 under Polymera Wiedemann, 1820, n. syn. [Limoniidae]; Trepidaria Swinderen, 1822 under Seioptera Kirby Spence, 1817, n. syn. [Ulidiidae].                Reversal of precedence (Code Article 23.9.2) is invoked in two instances to promote stability in nomenclature. One for homonymy: Sarcophaga Meigen, 1824, nomen protectum [in Sarcophagidae] and Sarcophaga Swinderen, 1822, nomen oblitum [in Calliphoridae]; and one for objective synonymy: Calliphora Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, nomen protectum and Sarcophaga Swinderen, 1822, nomen oblitum [in Calliphoridae].

Rhinoleucophenga Hendel is an endemic genus of the New World with most species recorded in Brazil. Rhinoleucophenga obesa (Loew) seemed to be the most widespread species, being recorded in the United States of America, Mexico and Brazil. In the Neotropical region, identifications of R. obesa were commonly based on the description of non-type specimens determined by Costa Lima (1935) and Malogolowkin (1946), although their identities were doubtful. However, the recent redescription of R. obesa from the type-series from Texas, USA, confirmed a long period of misidentifications and a new species, R. cantareira Vilela Bächli, was proposed based on Brazilian specimens. Thus, review of morphological and molecular traits of specimens previously identified as R. obesa in Neotropical biomes are necessary to check the identity and distribution of a group of sibling species: R. obesa, R. cantareira, R. gigantea (Thomson), R. pallida Hendel and R. pampeana Poppe et al. In the present paper, specimens previously determined as R. obesa, sampled in different Brazilian localities, were compared by morphological and molecular traits. Plates of female terminalia of R. cantareira and R. gigantea are presented for the first time. The spermathecal capsules (as well as the male epandrium) revealed useful characteristics to differentiate those species; these morphological differences were corroborated by a sequence fragment of COI. The specimens on which were based the descriptions of Rhinoleucophenga obesa sensu Costa Lima (1935) and sensu Malogolowkin (1946) were reviewed and confirmed as R. cantareira. Other Brazilian specimens from different localities, previously misidentified as R. obesa, were determined as R. gigantea or R. cantareira, with new records for both species. Therefore, the present study corresponds to the advance of identity definition and distribution of sibling species of Rhinoleucophenga commonly sampled in Neotropical inventory studies.

The Hirtodrosophila melanderi species group is currently known for thirteen described species, most of which were thought to be fungivorous. More than half known species of this species group were recorded exclusively from high altitude zone to the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. In our recent field survey in the Huanglong National Nature Reserve (located to the east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau) in Sichuan Province, China, we collected dozens of specimens of the H. melanderi group there. In the present study, these specimens are subjected to species delimitation based on data of not only morphology, but also DNA barcodes (nucleotide sequences of a 658-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene). The five new species thus recognized are described: Hirtodrosophila minshanensis sp. nov., H. lambda sp. nov., H. zhangae sp. nov., H. zouae sp. nov., and H. nigrispina sp. nov. In addition, an updated key to all species of the H. melanderi species group is provided.

Hirtodrosophila Duda, 1923 (Diptera, Drosophilidae) is a worldwide genus associated with fungi that encompasses 30 Neotropical species. They are gathered into four clusters: glabrifrons species group (Burla 1956), hirticornis species group (Burla 1956), magnarcus species group (Frota-Pessoa 1951), and thoracis species group (Grimaldi 1987), although there are still some ungrouped species. Nevertheless, their species richness is highly underestimated, and several unknown species of the genus have been sampled in different Brazilian regions. The known Neotropical flies of the hirticornis group belong to a set of four yellow sibling species, which are very difficult to identify based only on external morphology, a fact that partially explains the knowledge gap regarding ecology, biology, and evolution of the group. However, these species are easily sampled around some fungi fruiting bodies, particularly over Auricularia spp. (Auriculariales, Auriculariaceae). In the last years, we collected some hundreds of specimens, which allowed us to detect some common but yet undescribed species. Thus, here we describe four new Neotropical species in the hirticornis group.

A new species of Rhinoleucophenga Hendel from the Brazilian Amazon, R. hesperides sp. nov., was described based on morphology of male and female specimens. The larvae are predators of the eggs and adult females of ensign scales Praelongorthezia praelonga (Douglas) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Ortheziidae). Female P. praelonga also serve as a source of honeydew for adult R. hesperides sp. nov. In addition, the puparium of this species was described.

Twenty-one (six known and 15 new) species of the genus Leucophenga from the Oriental region are described or redescribed: L. jacobsoni Duda, 1926; L. kurahashii Okada, 1987; L. setipalpis Duda, 1923; L. sorii Kang, Lee Bhang, 1965; L. spinifera Okada, 1987; L. varinervis Duda, 1923; L. acantha Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. alafumosa Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. brevipenis Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. brevitabulata Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. delta Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. forcipula Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. fuscipalpula Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. glabtabulata Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. helvipecta Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. hyaloptera Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. oxyptera Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. platypyga Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. serrateiceps Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. valvata Huang Chen, sp. nov.; L. zebrina Huang Chen, sp. nov. A key and a morphological summary table to all these Leucophenga species are provided. Phylogenetic relationships among these 21 Leucophenga species, another 14 congeneric, known species from seven groups, and two representative outgroup taxa are reconstructed using 169 DNA sequences of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene. In sum, 13 of the 21 Leucophenga species, which possess the only diagnostic character of the proxima species group (abdominal third tergite shortened, anteriorly discolored in males), are not monophyletic. Therefore, all the Leucophenga species described or redescribed in this study are temporarily classified as unplaced species (except for L. sorii, which has been assigned to the sorii species group) to avoid further confusion.

The Hirtodrosophila melanderi species group contains nine known species recorded from either the Old or the New World. All these species were thought to be strict fungivorous drosophilids. In the present study, we give supplementary descriptions for three of these known species, all recorded from Yunnan, southwestern China, H. furcapenis, H. furcapenisoides, and H. longifurcapenis, by examining respective type specimen(s). We then describe four new species of the same group, H. seticlasper Katoh Gao, sp. nov., H. spinicerca Katoh Gao, sp. nov., H. serratifurcapenis Katoh Gao, sp. nov., and H. truncifurca Katoh Gao, sp. nov., all discovered recently from high altitudes (ca. 3,500 to 3,800 m a.s.l.) in Tibet (Xizang), southwestern China. The delimitation of these new species is firstly performed in light of morphology and further with the aid of DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COI (cytochrome c oxydase, subunits I) gene. In addition, a key to all the species of the species group is provided.

Chemical control of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) based on the use of insecticides is particularly challenging as the insect attacks ripening fruits shortly before harvest. An alternative strategy may rely on the use of yeasts as phagostimulants and baits, applied on canopy as attract-and-kill formulations. The aim of this research was to identify the most attractive among six yeast species for D. suzukii: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Clavispora santaluciae, Saccharomycopsis vini, Issatchenkia terricola, and Metschnikowia pulcherrima. The volatile profile of C. santaluciae was described for the first time. Behavioural experiments identified H. uvarum and S. vini as the most attractive yeasts. The characterization of yeast headspace volatiles using direct headspace (DHS) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) revealed several strain-specific compounds. With DHS injection, 19 volatiles were characterised, while SPME revealed 71 compounds constituting the yeast headspace. Both analyses revealed terpenoids including β-ocimene, citronellol, (Z)-geraniol (nerol), and geranial as distinct constituents of S. vini. H. uvarum and S. vini were further investigated using closed-loop stripping analysis (CSLA) and electroantennography. Out of 14 compounds quantified by CSLA, ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, β-myrcene, benzaldehyde and linalool were detected by D. suzukii antennae and might generate the strong attractiveness of S. vini and H. uvarum. Our results highlight a strong attraction of D. suzukii to various yeasts associated with both the flies and their habitat and demonstrate how different sampling methods can impact the results of volatile compound characterization. It remains to be demonstrated whether the distinct attraction is based on special adaptations to certain yeasts and to what extent the metabolites causing attraction are interchangeable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical signals have an important role in the survival of many animals and are essential for the exploration of the resources available in their habitat. All phytophagous insects, including dipterans, use diverse chemical compounds released by plants as olfactory signals to locate their hosts. Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a generalist fly that uses numerous plants as hosts. In this study, we evaluated the attractiveness of extracts from six plants commonly used as ornamental and medicinal plants in the southern region of Mexico. When the flies were exposed to Piper auritum Kunth (Piperaceae) extract, we observed a stimulating‐attracting effect, especially on females, whereas the other five extracts showed no significant differences from their respective controls. In addition, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis of the P. auritum extract revealed 11 compounds, where safrole and methyl eugenol (ME) showed the highest concentrations of all the compounds found. ME has been shown to attract flies, mainly males of the genus Bactrocera. In this case, we found a stronger effect on female D. suzukii, indicating a potential effect of ME as a kairomone that mainly stimulates the attraction behavior of females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The African fig fly, Zaprionus indianus Gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is an ecologically diverse pest species that interacts with and feeds on various microbial pathogens including bacteria and yeast found in decomposing fruits. However, the interaction of Z. indianus with its microbial community and microbial pathogens is obscure. To determine the presence of fungal pathogens, we collected wild Z. indianus from the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. Based on molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis, Debaryomyces hansenii (Zopf) Lodder & Kreger‐van Rij (isolate ziha1) was the most commonly observed fungus associated with Z. indianus. Furthermore, we identified two more opportunistic fungal pathogens: Aspergillus flavus Link (isolate zias2), and Pichia kudriavzevii Boidin, Pignal & Besson (isolate zibd3). The interaction of isolated fungi with Z. indianus was evaluated in terms of larval mortality, adult emergence, and fecundity. Debaryomyces hansenii ziha1 resulted in 90% emergence rate for adults, and did not cause significant mortality in the larval stage. In contrast, A. flavus zias2 and P. kudriavzevii zibd3 showed a significant reduction in fecundity and caused 99% and 74% larval mortality of Z. indianus, respectively. In the laboratory oviposition preference assay, mated females of Z. indianus preferred D. hansenii ziha1 supplemented food with a positive oviposition index compared to the uninfected control and compared to food infected with P. kudriavzevii zibd3 or A. flavus zias2. These findings underscore Z. indianus' potential to act as a reservoir for both symbiotic and pathogenic fungal species, some of which may be further harnessed for effective fruit fly pest control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grape berry moths, particularly Lobesia botrana Denis & Schiffermüller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and vinegar flies, such as Drosophila melanogaster Meigen and Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), are important vineyard pests, causing severe quality loss of grapes. Several arthropod taxa may be involved in the natural control of these pests. However, the role of arthropod predators in the natural control of vineyard pests remains unclear. We investigated 32 vineyards in the Palatinate region, southwest Germany, under organic and conventional management, which in both cases received either full or reduced fungicide applications (2 × 2 design). Predation of L. botrana eggs and pupae and D. melanogaster pupae on sentinel cards exposed in the vineyards was observed with infrared cameras. In total, nine predator taxa could be identified. The most dominant predator was the European earwig, Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), with 90% of all predation events. We conclude that F. auricularia is likely a key predator of vineyard pests, and that special attention should be paid to maintain it at high population densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in peach orchards of Akyamaç, Kemalpaşa and Kömeç villages of Tokat centre in 2023. As a result of the observations made in the orchards of the mentioned villages, damaged peach fruits were cultured in the laboratory. Zaprionus tuberculatus Malloch, 1932 and Zaprionus indianus (Gupta, 1970) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), which are invasive species, were detected as a result of the culture processes. Especially Z. indianus was observed to be intensively reared from the cultures. These species are the first records for the insect fauna of Tokat province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), is currently distributed in the main soft-skinned fruits production areas in China and 59 other countries, presenting a significant threat to importing nations. Optimal phytosanitary treatments, including fumigation, irradiation, and cold treatment, have been developed to prevent the international movement of this invasive fly. To determine the most cold-tolerant stage and facilitate the development of the technical schedules requested by the Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatment (TPPT), cold treatments of D. suzukii immature stages in 'Red Globe' grapes were conducted. Dose–mortality data at 0 °C and 2 °C from repeated trials were subjected to analysis of covariance, linear regression, and probit analysis. Results identified 3 d old pupae as the most cold-tolerant stage, followed by 1 d old pupae, 4 d old larvae, and 6 h old eggs with similar tolerance. The 2 d old larvae were the most sensitive stage. In subsequent confirmatory tests, 3 d old pupae were subjected to cold treatment at 0 °C for 9 and 10 days, and at 2 °C for 10 and 12 days, based on the probit estimation of the probit-9 value. No adult emergence occurred in the confirmatory tests except for one deformed adult from a 2 °C 10 d treatment. Therefore, the recommended treatment schedule requires fruit temperatures below 0.00 °C (or 1.62 °C) for no less than 10 (or 12) continuous days, with treatment efficacy not less than 99.9960% (or 99.9955%) at a 95% confidence level, respectively. These schedules are intended for submission to TPPT for the development of phytosanitary treatment standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceratocystis fimbriata, the causal agent of sweetpotato black rot, is a pathogen capable of developing and spreading within postharvest settings. A survey of North Carolina sweetpotato storage facilities was conducted to determine the arthropods present and identify potential vectors of C. fimbriata. Sixteen taxonomic categories were recovered, and the genus Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) accounted for 79% of individuals sampled, with Drosophila hydei being the most abundant species. Behavioral assays were conducted to determine if D. hydei is attracted to C. fimbriata-inoculated roots and if the pathogen could be recovered from external or intornal surfaces of the insect. Flles were released in insect-trapping pitchers containing either C. fimbriata-inoculated or noninoculated roots or Petri dishes. No significant differences in fly number were detected in sweetpotato-baited pitchers; however, significant differences were found in the pitcher baited with a mature C. fimbriata culture. Flies were subjected to washes to determine if viable C. fimbriata was present (internally or externally); washes were plated onto carrot agar plates and observed for the presence of C. fimbriata colonies. Both external and internal washes had viable C. fimbriata inocula with no significant differences, and inoculated sweetpotatoes had a significantly higher number of flies carrying C. fimbriata. This study suggests that D. hydei can carry C. fimbriata from infected sweetpotatoes and move viable C. fimbriata inocula both externally and internally, making this the first report of any Drosophila sp. serving as a potential vector for the Ceratocystis genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native parasitoids are potential tools for the biological control of invasive exotic pests, such as the frugivorous flies spotted‐wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, and African fig fly, Zaprionus indianus Gupta (both Diptera: Drosophilidae). Following biological invasions, the establishment of exotic species may be restricted, among other things, by their susceptibility to native or established natural enemies. The Neotropical‐native pupal endoparasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Costa Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), although primarily associated with hosts of the genus Anastrepha (Tephritidae), has also been described to attack Drosophilidae. There are few studies on the interaction between parasitoids native to Argentina and D. suzukii and/or Z. indianus. The present work evaluates the parasitism of T. anastrephae on both species of drosophilids under controlled conditions. Ten larvae (L3) of each host species were exposed separately to a couple of adult T. anastrephae for 72 h (n = 10). For both control and parasitoid treatment, 10 larvae (L3) of D. suzukii and Z. indianus were placed in 10 flasks (repetition) at the L3 stage. Host emergence, the infestation degree index (DI), and the parasitism success rate (SP) were calculated. Drosophila suzukii and Z. indianus emergence differed significantly in controlled conditions being 41% higher for Z. indianus than for D. suzukii. The DI was 100% in D. suzukii and 38% in Z. indianus, and the SP was 48% both in D. suzukii and in Z. indianus. These findings indicate that the native parasitoid T. anastrephae has a high potential as a biocontrol strategy against D. suzukii. In addition, the efficiency of T. anastrephae against Z. indianus, an invasive frugivorous widely spread in the Neotropical region, was evaluated for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a harmful invasive pest widespread throughout Argentinian fruit‐producing regions. It coexists with both pests, the sub‐Saharan African Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and the Neotropical‐native Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (both Diptera: Tephritidae), in northwestern Argentina. The Neotropical‐native parasitoid Ganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) is frequently found in non‐crop fruit infested by those frugivorous dipterans. The northwestern Argentinian region is known for producing and exporting berries and citrus, which are affected by those pests. Thus, eco‐friendly control strategies are under assessment. This study mainly assessed the potential of the G. pelleranoi population lineage from Tucumán (GpTuc) as a D. suzukii biocontrol agent. First, both the host‐killing effectiveness and the reproductive success of GpTuc on larvae of D. suzukii, C. capitata, A. fraterculus, and Drosophila melanogaster Meigen were compared in no‐choice tests under laboratory conditions. Then, the GpTuc host preference was evaluated in dual‐choice tests (D. suzukii vs. C. capitata or A. fraterculus) under laboratory and field conditions. Naive parasitoid females were allowed to forage for 8 h on screen‐covered Petri dishes filled with host larvae under laboratory conditions and for 48 h on peaches inoculated with host larvae under field conditions. Host puparia dissections were performed to determine the number and condition of parasitoid eggs, first and second instars, such as alive/dead, without/with melanization process, and proportions of parasitized, superparasitized, and dead puparia. Drosophila suzukii was not a suitable host for the successful development of GpTuc immature stages as they did not overcome the host's immune system. However, GpTuc performed efficiently regarding D. suzukii mortality, but parasitoid specificity was restricted to both tephritid species as only thriving offspring were achieved from them. Interestingly, the effectiveness of GpTuc on D. suzukii increased when it co‐occurred with C. capitata instead of A. fraterculus, the preferred host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study represents the first investigation of the seasonal dynamics and species diversity of Drosophilidae in Moscow, Russia, from 2021 to 2023. Traps were placed on the ground under trees to collect the specimens. Among the collected species, Drosophila obscura Fll., D. phalerata Mg., and D. testacea Roser were the most abundant. Peaks in the abundance of drosophilids varied between years, but the lowest abundance was always observed in May. In 2022, the highest number of flies was collected (9604 specimens), and the highest species diversity (33 species) was recorded. The effects of temperature and precipitation on the species abundance and community diversity indices are evident during the preimaginal developmental stages of drosophila. The insect fauna of natural parks in large cities has not been sufficiently studied in Russia. This study represents the first investigation of the seasonal dynamics and species diversity of Drosophilidae in Moscow city. Traps with fermenting liquid were placed on the ground under trees to collect flies from four natural park sites between early May and late September from 2021 to 2023. A total of 26,420 individuals belonging to 11 genera and 33 drosophilid species were identified, with 21 species from 6 genera being new to the fauna of Moscow. Drosophila obscura Fll., D. phalerata Mg., and D. testacea Roser were the most abundant species in the traps. Peaks in the abundance of drosophilids varied between years, but the lowest abundance was always observed in May. In 2022, the highest number of flies was collected (9604 specimens), with slightly fewer in 2023 (8496 specimens), and even fewer in 2021 (8320 specimens). In 2022, the highest species diversity of drosophilids was also recorded—33 species—while 28 species were found in both 2021 and 2023. The high variability in the abundance of individual drosophila species obscures the differences between the studied years due to the effects of the "Month" and "Site" factors. The diversity metrics exhibit similar patterns among drosophila communities inhabiting comparable biotopes. Specific climatic factors, such as the temperature and precipitation, impact the species abundance and community diversity indices primarily through their effects on the preimaginal stages of drosophila development. For several species, the population dynamics in the spring, post-hibernation, are influenced by the conditions preceding winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spotted‐wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) cause yield losses and important economic impacts in fruits with thin epicarp. In the present study, the combination of powdered sulphur and predators/parasitoids for the control of SWD was analysed. First, the interaction of powered sulphur with Anthocoris nemoralis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) on infested strawberry fruits and Trichropia drosophilae (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) on SWD pupae was evaluated. Second, exposure of predators/parasitoids to strawberry leaves with powdered sulphur was also assessed. Additionally, sublethal effects of powdered sulphur on T. drosophilae parasitism were examined. The results show powdered sulphur did not interfere with the activity of A. nemoralis and caused a significant reduction in fruit infestation. In contrast, sulphur affected the activity of T. drosophilae, reducing parasitism when the two agents were combined. Direct exposure to powdered sulphur did not cause significant mortality of A. nemoralis and T. drosophilae. Finally, previous exposure to sulphur did not affect T. drosophilae in terms of parasitism rates and sex ratio. Based on the results obtained herein, sulphur and T. drosophilae impacts on different stages of SWD when they are applied separately. However, the effects of sulphur on T. drosophilae should be taken into account in combination control strategies of SWD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flies in the Drosophila (Sophophora) obscura species group are among the most common native drosophilids in northern temperate and boreal forests; southward, into cool, montane tropical forests they are rare and localized, but diverse. Of the world's 48 species, 18 occur in the New World, including three new neotropical species described here. Here, all New World species are diagnosed, many with images and the use of some new morphological features such as female terminalia (oviscapt and spermathecal structure). A basic phylogenetic scheme of relationships based on 19 morphological characters corresponds well with molecular trees. Type series have been rediscovered of D. algonquin, athabasca, azteca, narragansett, and seminole (all described by Sturtevant and Dobzhansky in 1936), from which a lectotype is designated for each of the first four species and the holotype is recognized for seminole. Drosophila narragansett from the eastern United States, which has been found only once in 60 years, is redescribed in detail from historical material; D. seminole is found to be a synonym of narragansett. The three new species are Drosophila chibcha, n. sp. (from Costa Rica to Venezuela and Peru), D. olmeca, n. sp. (from southern Mexico), both of these in the a nis subgroup; and D. zapoteca, n. sp. (from Guatemala), in the pseudoobscura subgroup. Signifficant new distributional and host records are reported for various species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As most drosophilid species are not considered as primary pest, studies of their communities in natura, with standardized surveys, are relatively sparse. However, Drosophila suzukii and its rapid expansion through the world led to the implementation of many monitoring programs. As part of a research project on D. suzukii, we set up in 2022 an annual fly monitoring in 16 fruits plantations in France to understand population's dynamics of D. suzukii and to broadly survey drosophilid communities. The captures led to the first observation of Zaprionus tuberculatus in mainland France. Over the whole monitoring, we trapped a total of 111 specimens in a fig orchard located in southern France (Salses‐le‐Château), both in fig trees and nearby hedgerow. The first detection of Zaprionus tuberculatus occurred in July 2022 in the hedgerow, and captures continued until January 2023 with an interruption in November and December. In addition, in this orchard we collected overripe figs in September 2023 from which over 20 Z. tuberculatus have emerged in the following 2 weeks, confirming the establishment of a permanent population. The pest status of Z. tuberculatus and its potential risk for agriculture is not yet clear, but the pest behavior of the close‐relative species Zaprionus indianus, especially on figs, should be a warning point for the entry of Z. tuberculatus into the EU and France, as they may have similar polyphagous habit. The pest status and range expansion of Z. tuberculatus should be assessed to estimate risk to fruit's production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural matching of genitalia between sexes of the same species would guarantee a stable mating posture and tight genital coupling that minimizes the reproductive cost in females. Interspecific mating might cause mismatches in genital structures between sexes, leading to an unstable mating posture, abnormal genital coupling, enhanced risk of wounding to the genitalia, and reduced mating duration. In this study, copulation duration, mating posture, genital coupling and copulatory wounding were analysed in reciprocal combinations of interspecific mating between Drosophila auraria and Drosophila triauraria and between Drosophila biauraria and Drosophila subauraria. Interspecific mating exhibited a large variation in copulation duration, and copulatory wounds were produced in females at positions that lacked the corresponding fold structures, although the frequency of copulatory wounds was sometimes lower than in intraspecific mating. The angle of the aedeagus insertion during mating and positions of the copulatory wounds after interspecific mating were as expected from the male species, suggesting that males attempt to tighten genital coupling and stabilize copulation using the genitalia regardless of the female species. As in other groups of Drosophila studied to date, the species-specific structures in female genitalia contact the conspecific male organs during copulation, and the results suggest that they might have functions related to sexual conflict or sexual selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been an increase in the adventive establishment and spread of parasitoid wasps outside of their native range. However, lack of taxonomic tools can hinder the efficient screening of field-collected samples to document the establishment and range expansion of parasitoids on continent-wide geographic scales. Here we report that Leptopilina japonica (Hymenoptera, Figitidae), a parasitoid of the globally invasive fruit pest Drosophila suzukii (Diptera, Drosophilidae), is now widespread in much of North America despite not having been intentionally introduced. Surveys in 2022 using a variety of methods detected L. japonica in 10 of 11 surveyed USA States and one Canadian Province where it was not previously known to occur. In most surveys, L. japonica was the most common species of D. suzukii parasitoid found. The surveys also resulted in the detection of Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis (Hymenoptera, Figitidae), the recently-released biological control agent of D. suzukii, in six USA States where it had not previously been found. These new detections are likely a result of intentional biological control introductions rather than spread of adventive populations. A species-specific multiplex PCR assay was developed as a rapid, accurate and cost-effective method to distinguish L. japonica, G. cf. brasiliensis, the closely-related cosmopolitan parasitoid Leptopilina heterotoma (Hymenoptera, Figitidae) and other native parasitoid species. This dataset and the associated molecular tools will facilitate future studies of the spread and ecological impacts of these introduced parasitoids on multiple continents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is an exotic pest of economic importance that affects several soft-skinned fruits in Mexico. Previously, we found that yellow or yellow-green rectangular cards inside a transparent trap baited with attractants improved D. suzukii capture. In this study, we evaluated the influence of rectangular cards with different yellow shades inside a transparent multi-hole trap baited with apple cider vinegar (ACV) on D. suzukii capture in the field. Second, we tested whether ACV-baited traps with cards of other geometric shapes affected D. suzukii catches compared to traps with rectangular cards. Third, we evaluated the effects of commercial lures combined with a more efficient visual stimulus from previous experiments on trapping D. suzukii flies. We found that ACV-baited traps plus a yellow-shaded rectangle card with 67% reflectance at a 549.74 nm dominant wavelength captured more flies than ACV-baited traps with yellow rectangle cards with a higher reflectance. Overall, ACV-baited traps with rectangles and squares caught more flies than did ACV-baited traps without visual stimuli. The traps baited with SuzukiiLURE-Max, ACV and Z-Kinol plus yellow rectangles caught 57, 70 and 101% more flies, respectively, than the traps baited with the lure but without a visual stimulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The African fig fly (AFF) Zaprionus indianus Gupta, 1970, is an invasive species that has caused significant damage to several monoculture crops since its introduction in the Brazilian territory, resulting losses for farmers and decrease of fruit productions. A way to manage fruit pests is the chemical control, which could act as a selective pressure against genetic variation in the insect populations. The esterases are detoxifying enzymes that can respond to the selection by insecticides, they are conserved in evolution, and are involved in the hydrolysis of esters, including insecticide degradation. Esterases can be identified by isoenzyme electrophoresis, which is a valuable tool for genetic, biochemical, and ecological studies, particularly in approaches with pest species. This experimental study aimed to evaluate survival and esterase polymorphisms at the Est2 and Est3 loci in three different geographical populations of Z. indianus from Brazil (Aracaju, Uberaba and Florianópolis) after exposition to organophosphate malathion. We identified patterns of sex‐specific genetic variation that indicate a response to insecticide exposition. These results indicated that the insecticide biological response in this species is sex‐dependent, providing relevant information about the AFF‐malathion interaction. This study may contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable management strategies for AFF control in Brazil using genetic and ecological approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) have become a prominent environmental concern due to their ubiquity in various ecosystems and widespread distribution through multiple channels. In this study, the oral effects of 2,000 mesh polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microplastics were tested against Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen), at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 20. After exposure to a microplastic-containing medium for 20 days, energy metabolism, fecundity, spontaneous movement, and sleeping time were measured. The study results showed that glucose levels in male flies were significantly reduced after exposure to PTFE-MPs. Measurement of lipid and protein levels indicated an increase in males but decrease in females, whereas these changes were not statistically significant. Reduction in sleep time was also observed, especially in males at the concentration of 20 g/l. Our study indicates that chronic exposure of PTFE-MPs can change energy metabolism and the amount of sleep on D. melanogaster in a sex dependent and dose dependent way. The results of our study are hoped to contribute to a better understanding of the effects of microplastics as new pollutants on insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella , and invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii , are key pests of apple and small fruit, respectively, in the United States. Both species are typically managed with standard insecticide applications. However, interest in alternative strategies that result in insecticide reductions has led to evaluations of nonnutritive sugars as toxicants for Drosophila species and development of attracticidal spheres for both species. Here, we evaluated the survivorship of R. pomonella and D. suzukii when provided with standard diets that substituted saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, erythritol, dextrose, or mannitol for the sucrose component and compared them with standard diets and water-only controls for up to 15 days. Presence of erythritol and mannitol significantly decreased survivorship of R. pomonella and erythritol significantly decreased the survivorship of D. suzukii. However, mobility trials following a 2 h exposure to aqueous solutions of each sugar treatment resulted in no strong impact on either species. Survivorship after 30 min exposure to erythritol or mannitol alone, or in combination with varying concentrations of sucrose (serving as a phagostimulant) at 30 min and 24 h were evaluated for both species. Only D. suzukii survivorship was affected with decreased survivorship on erythritol:sucrose solutions of 20:0% and 15:5% for 24 h. Based on all results, erythritol appeared most promising, and was integrated into attracticidal spheres as a toxicant but even at the highest concentration, survivorship remained unaffected for either species, thus making this nonnutritive sugar impractical and ineffective as a toxicant substitute in attracticidal spheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Drosophila repleta group is one of the most widely used model systems for studying adaptation and speciation. Traditionally, five subgroups are recognized within the repleta group: fasciola, hydei, mercatorum, repleta and mulleri. A sixth subgroup, inca, was the last to be defined. The inca species subgroup includes three species: Drosophila inca, Drosophila huancavilcae and Drosophila yangana, all of which are endemic to Ecuador and Peru. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies have been inconclusive regarding the geographic location, time and mode of diversification of lineages within the repleta group. By applying a phylogenetic and biogeographical analysis of 54 taxa belonging to the repleta, nannoptera, atalaia and virilis groups, the aim of this study was to: (1) determine the relationships between the inca subgroup and the other five subgroups within the repleta group, (2) improve the unresolved branching and low supports of the early divergent lineages in the repleta group phylogeny and (3) estimate the geographic and temporal context of the early divergence within the repleta group. Based on these findings, it is proposed that the Drosophila repleta group first diversified during the mid-late Miocene, most likely following the uplift of the Northwestern Andes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a pest that reduces the productivity of small fruits. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and chemical insecticides can suppress this pest, but the compatibility of the two approaches together requires further examination. This laboratory study evaluated the compatibility of Steinernema brazilense IBCBn 06, S. carpocapsae IBCBn 02, Heterorhabditis amazonensis IBCBn 24, and H. bacteriophora HB with ten chemical insecticides registered for managing D. suzukii pupae. In the first study, most insecticides at the recommended rate did not reduce the viability (% of living infective juveniles (IJs)) of S. braziliense and both Heterorhabditis species. The viability of S. carpocapsae was lowered by exposure to spinetoram, malathion, abamectin, azadirachtin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, malathion, and spinetoram after 48 h. During infectivity bioassays, phosmet was compatible with all the EPNs, causing minimal changes in infectivity (% pupal mortality) and efficiency relative to EPN-only controls, whereas lambda-cyhalothrin generally reduced infectivity of EPNs on D. suzukii pupae the most, with a 53, 75, 57, and 13% reduction in infectivity efficiency among H. bacteriophora, H. amazonensis, S. carpocapsae, and S. brazilense, respectively. The second study compared pupal mortality caused by the two most compatible nematode species and five insecticides in various combinations. Both Heterorhabditis species caused 78–79% mortality among D. suzukii pupae when used alone, and were tested in combination with spinetoram, malathion, azadirachtin, phosmet, or novaluron at a one-quarter rate. Notably, H. bacteriophora caused 79% mortality on D. suzukii pupae when used alone, and 89% mortality when combined with spinetoram, showing an additive effect. Novaluron drastically reduced the number of progeny IJs when combined with H. amazonensis by 270 IJs and H. bacteriophora by 218. Any adult flies that emerged from EPN–insecticide-treated pupae had a shorter lifespan than from untreated pupae. The combined use of Heterorhabditis and compatible chemical insecticides was promising, except for novaluron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The willistoni group of Drosophila is subdivided into the alagitans, bocainensis, and willistoni subgroups, and has been an important model for studying evolutionary processes in the Neotropics for decades. Phylogenetic studies place the bocainensis subgroup as a grade in relation to the monophyletic willistoni subgroup, although these included molecular or morphological data for up to 4 species of the 12 species included in the first subgroup. Here, we characterized the first nucleotide sequences for three mitochondrial and five nuclear genes of Drosophila bocainensis Pavan & da Cunha, 1947 and employed these for addressing the paraphyly of this subgroup under a coalescent approach. Our results still recovered this paraphyletic relationship, placing D. bocainensis, Drosophila capricorni Dobzhansky & Pavan, 1943 and Drosophila sucinea Patterson & Mainland, 1944 in a basal clade, which diverged around 6.81 million years ago. The relationship of Drosophila nebulosa Sturtevant, 1916 and Drosophila fumipennis Duda, 1925 as a sister clade to the willistoni subgroup was recovered. The possible causes of such paraphyly are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods to measure the diversity and biological control impact of parasitoids for the control of spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are being developed in support of biological control programs around the world. Existing methods to determine parasitism levels and parasitoid species composition focus on sampling D. suzukii within fresh and rotting fruit. However, many D. suzukii pupate in the soil or in dropped fruit, where additional parasitism could occur and where their parasitoids are thought to overwinter. Here we introduce a method for extracting parasitized D. suzukii puparia from the soil through a sieve and flotation system, allowing for effective collection of puparia, from which parasitoids can then be reared. Although the method considerably underestimates the absolute number of puparia in soil samples, it nonetheless yields a high number of puparia relative to sampling effort and provides a robust estimate of the relative abundance of puparia among samples. Using this method, we confirmed that at least 5 species of parasitoids, including some that have rarely been detected in past studies, overwinter in their immature stages inside D. suzukii puparia in south coastal British Columbia, Canada. The ability to sample puparia from the soil will lead to a more comprehensive view of both D. suzukii and parasitoid abundance throughout the season, help confirm parasitoid establishment following intentional releases, and provide a way to measure the diversity of parasitoid species and potential interactions among parasitoids (e.g. hyper- or klepto-parasitism) that may often occur on the soil surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A distinctive species in the family Drosophilidae, Drosophila ancora Okada, 1968, is redescribed from specimens from Vietnam, and transferred to the genus Dichaetophora Duda sensu lato. It is exceptional among Diptera for its labellar sclerites that in males have grown into a pair of heavily sclerotized, pointed lobes at the tip of the labellum, producing what appear to be chewing mandibles. This is analogous to the condition in the dolichopodid Melanderia Aldrich, but there it is not sexually dimorphic. The structures are doubtfully used in male-male aggression or in postcopulatory mate guarding. Based on their shapes and fit, it is proposed that the "mandibles" are used by males to grasp the tip of the female oviscapt during courtship or for the male to grasp the female wing edge while mounted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Poland, the share of Diptera in the species composition of the harmful entomofauna occurring on vegetable crops ranges from 20 to 25%. They occur on all vegetables grown in Poland (over 80 species and botanical varieties). Since the systematic registration of pests inhabiting crops in Poland in 1919, over 70 species of flies have been listed as pests of vegetable plants. Species from three families dominate in terms of population and numbers: Anthomyiidae with 12 species (Delia radicum, on early and late cultivars of cruciferous vegetables, mainly broccoli, cauliflower, white cabbage, kohlrabi, and radishes; Delia platura occurs annually on bean and cucumber; Delia antiqua on onion and garlic; and Pegomya hyoscyami on beetroot), Cecidomyiidae with 10 species (two species dominate, Contarinia nasturtii and Dasineura napi, on cruciferous vegetables), and Agromyzidae with 23 species (Liriomyza bryoniae on cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers, and Phytomyza gymnostoma on leeks). Short-term, gradational occurrence of some dominant species was found, including Botanophila gnava (lettuce), Chamaepsila rosae (carrot, parsley), Delia platura (asparagus, bean), Delia radicum (broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, radishes, white cabbage), Phytomyza gymnostoma (leek), Oscinella frit (corn), and Suillia lurida (garlic). However, they did not affect the level of plant production in the following years of cultivation. Apart from phytophagous species, taxa with a different trophic structure are common. These are copro-, necro-, sapro-, and zoophagous species. The most numerous were flies from the Drosophilidae family (Drosophila busckii, Drosophila limbata, Scaptomyza pallida, Fanniidae (Fannia canicularis, Fannia scalaris), Heleomyzidae (Tephrochlamys tarsalis), and Muscidae (Muscina levida, Muscina stabulans, Phaonia trimaculata). Natural enemies of insects play an important role in vegetable agrocenoses. Species belonging to the order of Coleoptera beetles (Carabidae and Staphylinidae), Syrphidae, Tachinidae, and Muscidae, mainly Phaonia trimaculata larvae, play the most important role in reducing the number of Diptera. In addition, the number of phytophages is limited by other organisms, e.g., Diplopoda, Nematoda, Arachnida, and pathogens of viral, bacterial, and fungal origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oviposition preference for spherical substrates has been reported in some insects but not in Drosophila species until the recent finding that Drosophila suzukii preferentially lays eggs on spherical surfaces with a smaller radius, whereas D. melanogaster does not. This finding raised two questions: (i) Was this trait specifically acquired in D. suzukii or lost in D. melanogaster? (ii) In the latter case, is it due to the long‐term laboratory culture using oviposition substrates with flat surfaces? To answer these questions, we examined the oviposition preference of three Drosophila species using the stocks recently established from wild individuals. As with D. suzukii, D. simulans and D. takahashii showed significant preference for spherical surfaces with a smaller radius, suggesting that this trait is shared by multiple Drosophila species. In contrast, D. melanogaster did not show any preference for either smaller or larger radii, showing that the preference already has been lost in the natural population of D. melanogaster. It may be possible that the loss of oviposition preference for spherical surfaces is involved in the evolutionary process of D. melanogaster becoming a human commensal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent findings have documented the importance of (Z)‐11‐octadecenyl acetate (cVA) in the melanogaster group as a sex pheromone that regulates several sexual and social behaviours. However, this pheromone is missing in Drosophila suzukii, thus posing the question of whether it could have been replaced by another compound similar to cVA. Olfactory responses of D. suzukii females and males to conspecific volatiles in laboratory and field trails suggest the existence of a pheromone. Females attracted more females and males than the control. In field trials, both sexes were successfully captured in traps baited with conspecifics. Females were attracted to conspecific females and males. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry of volatiles showed that both sexes released 18 compounds, including Z‐9‐tricosene, hexacosane and heneicosane. Our results suggest that these compounds may influence the behaviour of D. suzukii and can act as sex or aggregation pheromones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two years after the first European record in Italy, we report the first occurrence of the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina japonica Novković & Kimura, 2011 (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) in Germany. The species is a larval‐pupal parasitoid of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), which is a widespread invasive and economically important pest of soft‐skinned fruit. In total, we found 29 specimens of L. japonica in five different locations in southern and western Germany in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. We examined the specimens morphologically and generated their DNA barcodes for identification. In three of the locations, L. japonica was sampled from raspberries. In two locations, L. japonica was caught in two and three consecutive years, respectively, which indicates adventive establishment. As D. suzukii and L. japonica originate from the same region in Asia, the possible establishment of L. japonica could be a case of unintentional biological control in Germany. In addition to this first record in Germany, we present a diagnosis of L. japonica to distinguish the species from the rest of the European Leptopilina fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to cope with novel climates is a key determinant of an invasive species' success. Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) is an invasive fruit pest, and its seasonality varies across its range. Current evidence suggests that D. suzukii occurs year-round in warmer climates but has low overwintering survival in colder climates and relies on refuges or reinvades each spring. Here, we assessed the capacity of D. suzukii ability to overwinter in Kentucky, a temperate mid-latitude state with relatively mild but variable winters. We tracked year-round population changes for 3 yr and observed the highest populations in early winter months. Following an annual population crash in winter, small numbers of flies remained through the late winter and spring. We also conducted outdoor cage studies to determine the extent to which food resources and microhabitat impact survival and postwinter fecundity under natural conditions. Flies with no food had poor survival during the warmest periods of winter, and flies in all treatments had lower survival in the coldest month. Provisioning flies with either artificial diet or wild berries improved survival. As a follow-up, we determined whether D. suzukii could survive and reproduce after long-term exposure to a typical winter temperature on various wild berries. Drosophila suzukii had the highest survival on privet (Ligustrum sp.), but all berry types yielded higher survival than flies without food. Our results suggest that noncrop berries play an important role for overwintering D. suzukii, and as winters warm the availability of wild berries could influence early-season populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The developmental process, divided into four different stages (egg, larva, pupa and adult), is the main reason for their remarkable diversification and expansion of the insect group Holometabola. Advanced morphological techniques have been used to demonstrate the 3D thoracic anatomical structures of the holometalous model organism fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, before and after emergence, in order to uncover the transformation process of the muscles, nerves, and gut during development. Skeletal changes affect the original positions of the muscles. The muscles vary in size, not only becoming longer and broader, but also shorter and narrower. Different muscle shapes may appear during development. The number of bundles may also vary. The soft tissues in the body may fix the free ends of the growing muscles, and a strong adult skeleton likely causes the absence of some muscles and tendons. The flight muscles appear very early, probably to achieve full functionality of these very large adult-specific muscles in time. There are some differences during the same developmental period between the two sexes. Most muscles of the larvae and adults with similar attachment positions change their functions from supporting crawling to supporting flying and walking under the control of a more complex ventral nerve cord. The midguts of the larva and the adult are nearly the same. The model organism Drosophila melanogaster, as a species of Holometabola, undergoes a series of transformations during metamorphosis. To deeply understand its development, it is crucial to study its anatomy during the key developmental stages. We describe the anatomical systems of the thorax, including the endoskeleton, musculature, nervous ganglion, and digestive system, from the late pupal stage to the adult stage, based on micro-CT and 3D visualizations. The development of the endoskeleton causes original and insertional changes in muscles. Several muscles change their shape during development in a non-uniform manner with respect to both absolute and relative size; some become longer and broader, while others shorten and become narrower. Muscular shape may vary during development. The number of muscular bundles also increases or decreases. Growing muscles are probably anchored by the tissues in the stroma. Some muscles and tendons are absent in the adult stage, possibly due to the hardened sclerites. Nearly all flight muscles are present by the third day of the pupal stage, which may be due to the presence of more myofibers with enough mitochondria to support flight power. There are sexual differences in the same developmental period. In contrast to the endodermal digestive system, the functions of most thoracic muscles change in the development from the larva to the adult in order to support more complex locomotion under the control of a more structured ventral nerve cord based on the serial homology proposed herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenylacetaldehyde (PAH), an aromatic odorant, exists in varied fruits including overripe bananas and prickly pear cactus, the 2 major host fruits of Drosophila melanogaster. It acts as a potent ligand for the Ionotropic receptor 84a (IR84a) and the Odorant receptor 67a (OR67a), serving as an important food and courtship cue for adult fruit flies. Drosophila melanogaster larvae respond robustly to diverse feeding odorants, such as ethyl acetate (EA), an aliphatic ester. Since the chemical identity and concentration of an odorant are vital neural information handled by the olfactory system, we studied how larvae respond to PAH, an aromatic food odorant with aphrodisiac properties for adult flies. Our findings revealed that PAH attracted larvae significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Larvae could also be trained with PAH associated to appetitive and aversive reinforcers. Thus, like EA, PAH might serve as an important odorant cue for larvae, aiding in food tracking and survival in the wild. Since IR84a/IR8a complex primarily governs PAH response in adult flies, we examined expression of Ir84a and Ir8a in early third-instar larvae. Our experiments showed the presence of Ir8a , a novel finding. However, contrary to adult flies, PAH-responsive Ir84a was not found. Our behavioral experiments with Ir8a 1 mutant larvae exhibited normal chemotaxis to PAH, whereas Orco 1 mutant showed markedly reduced chemotaxis, indicating an OR-mediated neural circuitry for sensing of PAH in larvae. The results obtained through this study are significantly important as information on how larvae perceive and process PAH odorant at the neuronal level is lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is an invasive polyphagous pest of soft-skinned fruit that has started to threaten small fruit production in Europe since 2008. High reproductive capacity, short generation time, and difficulties in visualizing early damage contribute to its rapid spread. Currently, the control strategy against D. suzukii mostly relies on treatment with synthetic insecticides. Keeping in mind that this pest causes the greatest damage during the harvesting period, control using chemicals is not recommended due to the increased risk of high pesticide residue levels in the fruit. With the aim of reducing the use of insecticides, there is a need for developing an environmentally safer way of control. Alternative solutions could rely on the use of essential oils (EOs), which can be used in conventional and organic production systems. Four essential oils, geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), dill (Anethum graveolens), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), and bergamot (Citrus bergamia), were assessed for their insecticidal effects using four different tests (contact toxicity, fumigant-contact toxicity, repellent effect, and multiple-choice tests). The EOs applied were dissolved in acetone at three different concentrations. The most promising one was the geranium essential oil, which had the best effect in all conducted tests, even at the lowest applied concentration. Geranium oil caused very high mortality (95%), even at the lowest concentration applied, after 24 h in the fumigant-contact test, and it caused a mortality of over 85% in the contact test. It was also noticed that geranium demonstrated a deterrent effect by repelling females from laying eggs for four days after at the lowest applied concentration. Scots pine and dill EOs have moderate to strong effects in most tests. The mortality of 100% was achieved for the highest applied concentration in the fumigant-contact and contact tests. Bergamot EO did not have any significant insecticidal activity. Geranium, Scots pine, and dill have great potential to be used as an environmentally friendly way of controlling D. suzukii as they exhibit deterrent, repellent, and insecticidal effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native to Asia, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is currently undergoing a rapid distribution expansion in Europe, America, and parts of Africa and has become a major economic pest of cultivated berry and stone fruits. Understanding the occurrence of D. suzukii and its associated parasitoids in its native range is crucial for effectively manage this invasive pest. In our study, traps baited with sugar vinegar wine were used to monitor the population dynamics of D. suzukii in four waxberry orchards in Fujian province, China, from May 2020 to April 2022. Additionally, parasitoids were sampled using sentinel traps baited with SWD-infested banana from May to June 2022. Four sites survey in Fujian indicated that D. suzukii population peak once per year. This peak occurred either in mid-May or mid-to late June, coinciding with the ripening period of waxberry fruit at the corresponding sites. During the waxberry ripening period, the percentages of D. suzukii adults captured in the four sites were female-bias, and the relative abundance of D. suzukii captured in Fuzhou was greater than that in other sample sites. Moreover, four parasitoid species, namely, Leptopilina japonica Novković & Kimura (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Trichopria drosophilae (Perkins) (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), and Asobara sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were identified based on morphology. Trichopria drosophilae was numerically dominated in the traps, and it was the only species that emerged from recovered banana slices under laboratory conditions. This study represents the first investigation on the occurrence of D. suzukii and its associated parasitoids in southeastern China. Our findings provide important clues for improving the efficacy of parasitoid-based IPM program in combating this pest, particularly in regions invaded by D. suzukii flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]