ABSTRACT
The genus Anastrepha contains almost 200 species, distributed throughout the American continents. Tephritids in general, and Anastrepha in particular, are a good group to study insect-plant interactions, behavior, genetics, and speciation patterns. Data on geographic distribution of Manihot and its associated Anastrepha species reveal that one of the several species is often found. Similarities among the species as described suggest a unique early event of host colonization. Host specialization in phytophagous insects is often thought to be related to characteristics of the host. Plant secondary compounds are one such characteristic considered to be important in influencing insect-plant interactions. The genus Anastrepha contains almost 200 species, distributed throughout the American continents. The genus is economically important because larvae of many species feed in fruit pulp. The chapter examines data on isozymes, karyotypes, and ovipositor morphology for A. pickeli Lima 1934 and A. montei Lima 1934, two species that breed in seeds of cassava plants.
