Gall-Inducing Tephritid Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae): Evolution and Host–Plant Relations

Abstract

The molecular-based phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Tephritinae, the subfamily that contains almost all the cecidogenous species of the family Tephritidae, has reassigned several tribes and groups of genera and modified their concepts based on morphology alone to other tribes and, thus, changed the hypothetical scenarios of evolution of fly/host–plant relations and, in particular, the gall induction in different phylogenetic lineages. Gall induction is shown to arise independently within the Myopitini (in two lineages), Cecidocharini, Tomoplagia group of genera, Eurostini, Eutreta, Tephritis group of genera, Platensinini, Campiglossa group of genera, and Sphenella group of genera independently and more or less synchronously due to the shift to host plants with smaller flower heads and sensitive to larval feeding causing tissue proliferation. This was possibly a result of temporary aridization of the grassy biomes in the Nearctic and Afrotropic regions in the late Miocene or early Pliocene.

Population genetic diversity and structure of Tephritis angustipennis and Campiglossa loewiana (Diptera: Tephritidae) based on COI DNA barcodes in the three-river source region, China

“…The NJ tree branches for the COI sequence of the 2 species showed robust support, allowing clear distinction between them. Therefore, the COI gene segment can be used to identify these 2 species of Tephritidae, and can be preferentially selected as an effective molecular marker for the identification of Tephritidae, consistent with previous reports on the use of mt COI barcodes for identifying Tephritidae species ( Wang Bixin and Lianfang 2002 , Korneyev 2004 , 2021 , Jiang 2015 , Chen 2017 ). However, the COI gene has a low success rate in the amplifying some Tephritidae samples.…”

“…However, the DNA barcodes of COI genes for T. angustipennis and C. loewiana have rarely been reported in this study area, and many species of Tephritidae have similar appearances. The limited availability of morphological analysis indices makes accurate species determination through morphological observation of eggs, larvae, and adults difficult ( Korneyev 2021 , Mazzon et al 2021 , Jennings 2023 ). DNA barcoding enables quick and accurate identification of these 2 pests, irrespective of their developmental stage ( Rathnayake et al 2023 ).…”

“…Tephritidae, belonging to the order Diptera, are commonly known as fruit flies, which are holometabolous insects. Reproduction typically occurs through oviposition ( Ovtshinnikova and Ovchinnikov 2016 , Zhang 2019 , Korneyev 2021 , Mazzon et al 2021 ). This family of insects has a large and diverse population with widespread distribution.…”

“…Studies have shown that the eggs, larvae, and pupae of fruit flies are relatively small and exhibit extremely similar morphologies at each stage, making species differentiation difficult based on morphology alone. Due to the high number of closely related species, similar morphologies, and limited research on the classification system of fruit flies in our research area, accurately identifying and classifying species are challenging ( Korneyev 2021 , Mazzon et al 2021 , Jennings 2023 ).…”