Resolution of cryptic species complexes of tephritid pests to overcome constraints to SIT application and international trade

Through this project, icipe seeks to resolve the cryptic species complex of members of the FAR complex (Ceratitis anonae, C. fasciventris, and C. rosa), which are morphologically very similar and belong to the same subgenus, Pterandrus. Recent genetic analysis has shown that the FAR complex is probably five entities, rather than the three taxonomic species. In this regard, the project aims at establishing colonies of the two populations of C. rosa from known host plants of the insect in Kenya and assessing their temperature tolerance, mating compatibility and modeling their distribution using the ILCYM software under different climate change scenarios. Additional activity includes documenting the host plants of Bactrocera cucurbitae in Kenya in order to provide necessary information that may be useful for management of the pest and sharing biological materials with other members of the project.

Donor:

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Partners:

Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Division of Plant Industry Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Czech Republic; Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania