Elucidation of ecological properties of Bactrocera fruit flies, serious pests of fruits, in their native areas for the establishment of new pest control measures

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We identified five Bactrocera species (including two sibling species of B. dorsalis complex) as major pest fruit flies in west Java, Indonesia, using male-attractant traps and sampling of infested fruits. In particular, to identify B. carambolae (B.c) and B. papayae (B.p), sibling species being hardly identifiable due to their close resemblances, we developed a simple and practical identification method on the basis of their morphology. The sampling survey of infested fruits revealed some degree of host specialization of the two species; B.c mainly on star fruit whereas B.p mainly on mango. Laboratory experiments, however, detected no host specialization. These results suggested that some host specialization observed in the field reflected species-specific differences in ecological properties, such as mating behaviors.