Rhagoletis striatella
Description
Typical of Rhagoletis larvae with the following specific characteristics for the 3rd instar:
Body. Medium-sized; body length 8.5-10 mm.
Head. Cephalic lobes slightly developed. Antenna 2-segmented.
Stomal organ: One peg sensillum present, other peg sensilla-like structures absent.
Stomal region: 2 large sclerotized stomal guards present; with teeth on their sides. Oral ridges usually present, occasionally indistinct or poorly developed. Accessory plates present or absent. Oral ridges either present (and very poorly developed), or absent; number of oral ridges (when present) 4–8 (not pronounced); margins rounded, more like reticulation than ridges. Accessory plates present (not pronounced), or absent; number of accessory plates (when present) 1–5; margins unserrated.
Anterior spiracles. Anterior spiracle concave medially, appearing bilobed. Number of anterior spiracular tubules 33–35.
Spinules and creeping welts. Dorsal spinules on segments T1-A4.
Caudal segment (A8) and anal lobes. Anal lobes very protuberant; bifid.
Posterior spiracles. Dorsal spiracular processes long, with numerous trunks. Number of dorsal spiracular processes 6–10. Number of ventral spiracular processes 6–10. Number of lateral spiracular processes 6–10.
Host plants
| Family | Genus |
| Solanaceae | Physalis |
Part of plant attacked: fruit.
Biogeographic region and distribution
NearcticUSA and Mexico (Iowa and Wisconsin east to Massachusetts; New Mexico and Texas south to Jalisco and Guerrero).
Adult taxonomy
Rhagoletis striatella WulpRhagoletis striatella Wulp 1899: 408.—Mexico. Guerrero: Amula [Amulango], 6000 ft. HT ♀ BMNH. Type data (Foote 1965: 239, Bush 1966: 514).
References
Carroll, L. E., A. L. Norrbom, M. J. Dallwitz, and F. C. Thompson. 2004 onwards. Pest fruit flies of the world – larvae. Version: 8th December 2006. http://delta-intkey.com.
White, I. M., and M. M. Elson-Harris. 1992. Fruit flies of economic significance: their identification and bionomics. CAB International; Wallingford, UK. 601 p.
