Effect of host plant chemistry on genetic differentiation and reduction of gene flow among Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) populations exploiting sympatric, synchronic hosts.

Herbivore host specialization includes changes in behavior, driven by locally induced adaptations to specific plants. These adaptations often result in sexual isolation that can be gauged through detection of reduced gene flow between host associated populations. Hypothetically, reduced gene flow can be mediated both by differential response to specific plant kairomones and by the influence of larval diet on some adult traits such as pheromone composition.

Phylogeographic studies on natural populations of the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Anastrepha fraterculus is an important pest of commercial fruits in South America. The variability observed for morphological and behavioural traits as well as genetic markers suggests that A. fraterculus represents a complex of synmorphic species rather than a single biological species.