A Discussion of the Family Tephritidae (Diptera) and Its Host-Plants in America North of Mexico

Abstract

Many species of the fruit fly family Tephritidae are economically important pests. Aside from a handful of publications, which have listed the hosts of these flies mostly on a regional basis, there has been no comprehensive review of the host plants of these flies for North America. The following is a list of and observations about the plant hosts known to date for the Tephritidae. Needless to say much more needs to be done in readings and genetic studies as there are many species for which the host is completely unknown.