Identification of Fruit Fly Pest Species Important for Pest Management and International Trading

Bactrocera dorsalis is an invasive insect pest in Thailand and worldwide, causing loss of economic and trades. B. dorsalis is a closely related species of B. papayae, B. philippinensis, B. carambolae, and B. invadens. Regarding to their morphology, there are difficult to distinguish among them. This causes several problems on pest management and international trades. Integrated collaborative and multidisciplinary researches were independently conducted to resolve a biological status of given five species. Results based on genetics, chromosome, male pheromone profile, mating behavior, and morphometric characters were consistent with that B. carambolae is distinguished from the others. Synonymization of B. papayae, B. philippinensis, and B. invadens under B. dorsalis leads to future political decision making on pest management, plant quarantine, postharvest handling, international trades, and researches.