The mesonotum is the dorsum of the mesothorax, which in flies is well developed and forms most of thorax. The mesonotum includes the scutum, notopleura, scutellum and postnotum. In Tephritidae, the postpronotal lobes are the only dorsally visible parts of the thorax that are not part of the mesonotum. This character refers to the predominant color of the mesonotum, exclusive of the normal whitish scutal vittae and any brown spots or vittae. In pale species of Anastrepha and Toxotrypana there are sometimes apparent markings due to dark underlying tissues, but only the color of the cuticle should be considered.