This page represents the following TreeOfLife-200M taxonomic path.[1]
Anastrepha manihoti is a fruit fly characterized by the typical morphology of the genus Anastrepha. Based on examination of museum specimens, the adult fly exhibits a distinct, patterned wing venation characteristic of the family Tephritidae. The body coloration is generally yellowish-brown, consistent with other members of the genus. The thorax and abdomen show typical dipteran segmentation, with the ovipositor sheath in females being a notable structural feature often used in taxonomic identification.[1]
Anastrepha manihoti is a species of Tephritidae that infests cassava (Manihot esculenta), particularly in regions such as Colombia, where it has been documented at elevations of 1500 meters.[2]
The female fly oviposits in the tender stems of the cassava plant. The resulting larvae bore through the stem, causing damage that can be mistaken for that of Silba species (Lonchaeidae). This larval activity is frequently associated with a rot caused by the bacterium Erwinia carotovora var. carotovora, which enters the plant during the oviposition process or when larvae exit the stem to pupate. This bacterial infection can lead to the death of young plants or significantly degrade the quality of material used for vegetative propagation.[2]
Research into the management of Anastrepha species affecting cassava has explored several monitoring and control strategies: