Bactrocera melanotus

Taxonomy

Valid name: Bactrocera (Bactrocera) melanotus (Coquillett, 1909)
Preferred common name: None
Synonyms:
   Dacus melanotus (original combination in Coquillett, 1909)
   Bactrocera melanota (subsequent combination in White and Elson-Harris, 1992White and Elson-Harris, 1992:
White IM, Elson-Harris MM, 1992. Fruit Flies of Economic Significance. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, 601 pp.)
   Chaetodacu melanotus (subsequent combination in Bezzi, 1928)
   Strumeta melanotus (subsequent combination in Perkins, 1939)
Dacus rarotongae Froggatt, 1911 (junior synonym)

Morphology-based identification

Bactrocera melanotus can be identified using morphological characters. Spot characters include the lack of yellow markings on the scutum and abdomen, and a completely black scutellum.

Molecular identification

There are no molecular reference data available for Bactrocera melanotus.

Distribution

Bactrocera melanotus is only known from the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, which is its presumed native range.

Further information

Bactrocera melanotus is reported as a "category B" pest in Vargas et al. (2015)Vargas et al. (2015):
Vargas RI, Pinero JC, Leblanc L, 2015. An overview of pest species of Bactrocera fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the integration of biopesticides with other biological approaches for their management with a focus on the pacific region. Insects 6: 297–318. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects6020297. A category B pest is there defined as "polyphagous fruit pests or destructive specialists more restricted in distribution, but at elevated risk of spreading to new locations". Bactrocera melanotus feeds on common commercial fruits such as papaya (Carica papaya), citrus (Citrus spp.), mango (Mangifera spp.), and guava (Psidium guajava) (Leblanc et al. 2012Leblanc et al. 2012:
Leblanc L, Vueti ET, Allwood AJ, 2012. Host plant records for fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacini) in the pacific Islands. Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 44: 11–53. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/25459).