Bactrocera (Bactrocera) simulata ( Malloch, 1939 )

Leblanc, Luc, 2022, The dacine fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacini) of Oceania, Insecta Mundi 2022 (948), pp. 1-167 : 141

Bactrocera (Bactrocera) simulata ( Malloch, 1939)

Figure 79

Distribution. Papua New Guinea (Bougainville). Solomon Islands (Shortland Group, Choiseul, Vella Lavella, Gizo, Kolombangara, New Georgia, Isabel, Russell, Florida, Guadalcanal, Malaita, San Cristobal, Rennell and Bellona, Santa Cruz). Vanuatu (Santo, Malekula, Ambae, Ambrym, Epi-Paama-Tongoa, Efate).

Male lure. Cue-lure.

Host plants. Record in Solomon Islands: CUCURBITACEAE : Coccinia grandis .

Edible host common name: Ivy gourd.

Biology. Monthly trapping data illustrated on Figure 127 .

Notes. This species is nearly identical to B. geminosimulata ( Fig. 34 ) ( Leblanc et al. 2021). They are genetically distinct and distinguished by a subtle but consistent difference in wing infuscation ( Leblanc et al. 2021).

Figures

Figure 34. Bactrocera (Bactrocera) geminosimulata Leblanc and Doorenweerd, male. A) Head. B) Head and scutum. C) Abdomen. D) Wing. E) Lateral view.

Figure 79. Bactrocera (Bactrocera) simulata (Malloch), male. A) Head. B) Head and scutum. C) Abdomen. D) Wing. E) Lateral view.

Figure 127. Mean (±SE) daily captures of Bactrocera simulata (Malloch) in cue-lure traps maintained in the Solomon Islands (Guadalcanal Island) between April 1999 and August 2001, based on 10 trapping sites (n = 224, mean FTD = 1.19).