Population structure and colonization of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in China,inferred from mtDNA COI sequences

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is a serious pest of fruits and vegetables in South‐east Asia, and, because of quarantine restrictions, impedes international trade and economic development in the region. Revealing genetic variation in oriental fruit fly populations will provide a better understanding of the colonization process and facilitate the quarantine and management of this species. The genetic structure in 15 populations of oriental fruit fly from southern China, Laos and Myanmar in South‐east Asia was examined with a 640‐bp sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The highest levels of genetic diversity were found in Laos and Myanmar. Low to medium levels of genetic differentiation (F_ST ≤ 0.134) were observed among populations. Pooled populations from mainland China differed from those in Laos and Myanmar (F_ST = 0.024). Genetic structure across the region did not follow the isolation‐by‐distance model. The high genetic diversity observed in Laos and Myanmar supports the South‐east Asian origin of B. dorsalis. High genetic diversity and significant differentiation between some populations within mainland China indicate B. dorsalis populations have been established in the region for an extended period of time. High levels of genetic diversity observed among the five populations from Hainan Island and similarity between the Island and Chinese mainland populations indicate that B. dorsalis was introduced to Hainan from the mainland and has been on the island for many years. High genetic diversity in the recently established population in Shanghai (Pudong) suggests multiple introductions or a larger number of founders.     

Polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers from the Oriental Fruit Fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)

Six polymorphic microsatellite loci are isolated from the Oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), an agricultural pest in Asia, including Taiwan. To assess their potential utility as high‐resolution genetic markers, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, amplification conditions, and an automated fluorescence detection protocol were developed. In analyses of 71 individual flies from six different areas of Taiwan, allele numbers ranged from five to 25 were detected for each locus. The observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.268 and 0.737 among these loci. No linkage disequilibrium was found. These microsatellite markers have potential utility to population structure and gene flow studies of B. dorsalis (Hendel).     

First detection of the fruit fly Bactrocera synnephes (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Iriomote Island, south-western Japan

Bactrocera synnephes, a fruit fly species common in Taiwan, was first detected in Japan in 2006, when several male adults were trapped at Kanokawa, an uninhabited coastal area of Iriomote Island, Okinawa (200 km from Taiwan). To examine potential colonization by B. synnephes, we collected fruit of the wild gourd Diplocyclos palmatus (Cucurbitaceae), a host of the fruit fly, as well as other cucurbitaceous species, in Kanokawa and other areas of Iriomote Island. No B. synnephes infestation was found on any cucurbitaceous plants. Based on these results, we conclude that B. synnephes had very recently invaded Iriomote Island, possibly from Taiwan, but had failed to colonize. Bactrocera synnephes may have entered Iriomote Island by natural or human‐induced means, but a human‐induced invasion pathway is less likely in light of the non‐pest status of the species in Taiwan. The disappearance of B. synnephes from Iriomote Island may be related to the loss of host fruit as a result of tropical cyclones. Although B. synnephes is not regarded as a pest elsewhere, the pest status of the species is unclear in Okinawa, where no fruit fly pests currently attack commercial cucurbitaceous fruit. We must remain alert for possible re‐invasion by B. synnephes.     

Global distribution and invasion pattern of oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Since the start of the 20th century, many invasive alien species (IAS) have spread rapidly around the world, causing serious threats to economies, societies and the environment. Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is an important quarantine insect species in many countries that spread around the world over the last century. This review collected information on the distribution of B. dorsalis to explore the patterns of its invasion expansion. We found B. dorsalis to be distributed in 75 countries (comprised of 124 geographical distribution regions: provinces or states) in Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania up to 2017. Asia and Africa were the most represented regions, accounting for 86.3% of the total number of countries. From 1910 to 1990, B. dorsalis was only found in five countries, but in the last three decades, it has experienced a sharp increase in its rate of spread, invading 70 more countries. Global temperature anomaly has significantly positive correlation with the spread of B. dorsalis. The results of this review provide a theoretical basis for understanding and predicting the continued spread of B. dorsalis under global changes.     

One and the same: integrative taxonomic evidence that Bactrocera invadens (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the same species as the Oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis

The invasive fruit fly Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White, and the Oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) are highly destructive horticultural pests of global significance. Bactrocera invadens originates from the Indian subcontinent and has recently invaded all of sub‐Saharan Africa, while B. dorsalis principally occurs from the Indian subcontinent towards southern China and South‐east Asia. High morphological and genetic similarity has cast doubt over whether B. invadens is a distinct species from B. dorsalis. Addressing this issue within an integrative taxonomic framework, we sampled from across the geographic distribution of both taxa and: (i) analysed morphological variation, including those characters considered diagnostic (scutum colour, length of aedeagus, width of postsutural lateral vittae, wing size, and wing shape); (ii) sequenced four loci (ITS1, ITS2, cox1 and nad4) for phylogenetic inference; and (iii) generated a cox1 haplotype network to examine population structure. Molecular analyses included the closely related species, Bactrocera kandiensis Drew & Hancock. Scutum colour varies from red‐brown to fully black for individuals from Africa and the Indian subcontinent. All individuals east of the Indian subcontinent are black except for a few red‐brown individuals from China. The postsutural lateral vittae width of B. invadens is narrower than B. dorsalis from eastern Asia, but the variation is clinal, with subcontinent B. dorsalis populations intermediate in size. Aedeagus length, wing shape and wing size cannot discriminate between the two taxa. Phylogenetic analyses failed to resolve B. invadens from B. dorsalis, but did resolve B. kandiensis. Bactrocera dorsalis and B. invadens shared cox1 haplotypes, yet the haplotype network pattern does not reflect current taxonomy or patterns in thoracic colour. Some individuals of B. dorsalis/B. invadens possessed haplotypes more closely related to B. kandiensis than to conspecifics, suggestive of mitochondrial introgression between these species. The combined evidence fails to support the delimitation of B. dorsalis and B. invadens as separate biological species. Consequently, existing biological data for B. dorsalis may be applied to the invasive population in Africa. Our recommendation, in line with other recent publications, is that B. invadens be synonymized with B. dorsalis.     

Integrative taxonomy versus taxonomic authority without peer review: the case of the Oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalis (Tephritidae)

1. Major global horticultural and food security tephritid fruit fly pests, Bactrocera papayae (papaya fruit fly) and B. invadens (invasive fruit fly), were synonymised with B. dorsalis (Oriental fruit fly) by Schutze et al. (2015a) based on extensive integrative taxonomic evidence from multiple sources. This synonymy was peer reviewed by eight independent experts. 2. Drew & Romig (2016) withdrew B. papayae and B. invadens from synonymy based on opinion drawn primarily from disparate geographical distribution, morphological, and host use information. This reversal was not subjected to peer review. 3. We consider the withdrawal from synonymy as invalid due to significant errors and misrepresentations of the literature provided in the arguments of Drew & Romig (2016) that we propose would not have withstood peer scrutiny. 4. This case reflects a broader issue of individual taxonomic authorities using opinion to challenge extensive evidence generated via scientific hypothesis‐testing methods by discipline specialists. 5. We recommend that taxonomic acts not subjected to peer review, especially of pest species, be actively discouraged by the broader scientific and regulatory community.     

Vapor heat treatment for quarantine control of the oriental fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in papaya fruit from Thailand

A two-stage vapor heat treatment (VHT) is used commercially for disinfestation of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in various tropical fruits exported from Thailand to international markets. In the present study, VHT was tested against B. dorsalis in papayas to confirm a high level of quarantine security. The first instar larva of B. dorsalis was the most heat tolerant life stage. The VHT consists of heating papaya fruits with hot air at 50–80 % RH from ambient temperature to a fruit center temperature of 43 °C (dry pre-heating period), then heating with saturated hot air to 47 °C (wet heating period) with a 20-min hold at 47°. In large-scale confirmatory tests of this VHT treatment schedule, none of the treated 78,405 first instar larvae survived. Papayas at the color break maturity stage treated by VHT and held under simulated commercial export conditions showed no differences in fruit quality compared with non-treated controls. VHT showed high efficacy in disinfestation of papayas of B. dorsalis while maintaining fruit quality and could be used as a standard quarantine treatment for papaya exported from Thailand.     

Trapping tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in citrus groves of Fujian Province of China

Certain tephritid fruit flies, such as the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, the Chinese citrus fly, B. minax and the Japanese orange fly, B. tsuneonis (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae), are destructive citrus pests in China. A two-year trapping study was conducted in pomelo, Citrus maxima, groves in Fujian Province of China. The objectives of this study were to investigate the species, the abundance of tephritid fruit flies in the orchards, as well as the efficacy of the selected lure traps to these flies. Four lure traps or devices, i.e. methyl eugenol + Steiner trap (ST), cuelure + ST, ammonium acetate + putrescine + ST, and sticky spheres, were deployed from June to November 2017 and April to October 2018. Six economically significant Dacini pests were trapped during the period. These flies are B. dorsalis, the melon fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, the pumpkin fruit fly, Z. tau, the Malaysian fruit fly, B. latifrons, and other two species - B. rubigina and Z. scutellatus. B. dorsalis was the most abundant, accounting for more than 50% of the capture, followed by Z. cucurbitae. The remaining four species accounted for less than 2% of the total capture. B. minax and B. tsuneonis, two destructive citrus-damaging tephritid fruit flies in China, were not found during the trapping period. Methyl eugenol trapped the highest number of fruit flies, followed by cuelure.     

Comparison of male adult population densities of the oriental and artocarpus fruit flies,Dacus spp. (Diptera: Tephritidae), in two nearby villages in Penang,Malaysia

The populations of native male adult oriental fruit fly Dacus dorsalis (Hendel ) and artocarpus fruit fly D. umbrosus (F.) in two selected site (BU and SD) were estimated weekly by the capture-recapture technique using live traps baited with methyl eugenol. In BU where many varieties of fruit trees were grown, the estimated population densities of D. dorsalis were between 980 and 3100 male flies per ha between May and July, 1984. During the same period, in SD where there were fewer number and varieties of fruit trees, the estimated population densities were between 300 and 1000 flies per ha. The estimated population densities of D. umbrosus over the same period were between 570 and 1290 flies per ha in BU; and between 5 and 95 flies per ha in SD. Of a total 6828 marked D. dorsalis flies released only one fly (released 6 weeks earlier in BU) was caught in a different site.     

Effect of sex,age and morphological traits on tethered flight of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) at different temperatures

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a pest of fruit and vegetable production that has become established in 42 countries in Africa after its first detection in 2003 in Kenya. It is likely that this rapid expansion is partly due to the reported strong capacity for flight by the pest. This study investigated the tethered flight performance of B. dorsalis over a range of constant temperatures in relation to sex and age. Tethered flight of unmated B. dorsalis aged 3, 10 and 21 days was recorded for 1 h using a computerized flight mill at temperatures of 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36 °C. Variations in fly morphology were observed as they aged. Body mass and wing loading increased with age, whereas wing length and wing area reduced as flies aged. Females had slightly larger wings than males but were not significantly heavier. The longest total distance flown by B. dorsalis in 1 h was 1559.58 m. Frequent short, fast flights were recorded at 12 and 36 °C, but long-distance flight was optimal between 20 and 24 °C. Young flies tended to have shorter flight bouts than older flies, which was associated with them flying shorter distances. Heavier flies with greater wing loading flew further than lighter flies. Flight distances recorded on flight mills approximated those recorded in the field, and tethered flight patterns suggest a need to factor temperature into the interpretation of trap captures.     

Juvenile hormone regulation on the flight capability of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is considered a major economic threat in many regions worldwide. In order to better understand the flight capacity of B. dorsalis and its physiological basis, the functions and regulatory roles of juvenile hormone (JH) in the flight muscle of B. dorsalis were studied under a controlled environment. JH titer of B. dorsalis varied with age and sex. Females have higher JH titers and better flight capabilities than males, given that the increase in JH also corresponded to the ovarian development and maturation in females. The flight duration and distance of both males and females increased with the gradual increase of JH titer after adult emergences. Both JH titer and flight capability peaked in 15-d-old adult and declined subsequently with age. Flight activity stimulated the production of JH as adults flown for 24 h on the flight mills have the highest JH titers compare to adults flown on shorter flight durations. Adults treated with 0.5 µg and 5 µg of JH III were able to fly long durations and long distances, nevertheless when JH titer was too low or too high, it would restrict the flight ability of the fly. The mutual reinforcement of JH and flight activity provides fundamental understanding on the physiological aspects of the flight capability and dispersal, which facilitates strategies for the long-term control of this destructive pest.     

Population dynamics of three Bactrocera spp. fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) and two introduced natural enemies,Fopius arisanus (Sonan) and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), after an invasion by Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) in Tahiti

Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), invaded French Polynesia in 1996. In 2002 a natural enemy, Fopius arisanus (Sonan), was released and established. By 2009 mean (±SD) F. arisanus parasitism for fruit flies infesting Psidium guajava (common guava), Inocarpus fagifer (Polynesian chestnut) and Terminalia catappa (tropical almond) fruits on Tahiti Island was 64.8 ± 2.0%. A second parasitoid, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead), was released and established in 2008. Although widespread, parasitism rates have not been higher than 10%. From 2003 (parasitoid establishment) to 2009 (present survey) numbers of B. dorsalis, Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt), Queensland fruit fly, and Bactrocera kirki (Froggatt) emerging (per kg of fruit) declined. For example, for P. guajava there was a decline of 92.3%, 96.8%, and 99.6%, respectively. Analysis of co-infestation patterns (1998–2009) of B. dorsalis, B. tryoni, and B. kirki, suggest B. dorsalis is now the most abundant species in many common host fruits. Establishment of F. arisanus is the most successful example of classical biological control of fruit flies in the Pacific outside of Hawaii and can be introduced if B. dorsalis spreads to other French Polynesian islands, as was the recent case when B. dorsalis spread to the Marquesas Islands. These studies support F. arisanus as a prime biological control candidate for introduction into South America and Africa where Bactrocera carambolae Drew and Hancock and Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta, and White, respectively, have become established.     

Opiine parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and biological control of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Australia: Past,present and future

Opiine braconids are parasitoids of the immature stages of frugivorous tephritids. The female wasp lays her eggs into the eggs or larvae of the fruit fly host, where the immature wasp develops before emerging as a next-generation adult from the now dead host pupal case. In support of a new generation of Australian fruit fly parasitoid research, this paper comprehensively reviews what is known about the Australian fruit fly infesting opiines. Based on the most recent taxonomic revision 11 fruit fly infesting opiine species are documented to occur in Australia, but we consider as doubtful the record for Diachasmimorpha longicaudata and consider the record for Fopius illusorius to be tentative without further collections. We identify that the systematics and taxonomy of the Australian native fruit fly infesting opiines are in urgent need of further work. The history of fruit fly biological control in Australia is comprehensively reviewed, including the export of native Australian opiines for fruit fly control elsewhere in the world. Australia was actively involved in three major classical biological control programmes against fruit flies from the turn of the 1900s until the mid-1960s. Despite the introduction of 11 opiine species, plus numerous other natural enemies, only Fopius arisanus established in eastern Australia, where in South-east Queensland it can now cause between 30 and 40% mean parasitism. In addition to the exotic F. arisanus, the native species Diachasmimorpha kraussii and Diachasmimorpha tryoni also cause fruit fly parasitism in agriculturally important crops: both species have also been liberated widely outside of Australia for fruit fly control. Other Australian opiines have not been reared from flies infesting commercial crops and appear biologically restricted to the fruits and environs of Australian east-coast rainforests. The biology literature for D. tryoni and D. kraussii is comprehensively reviewed, while for F. arisanus, already reviewed elsewhere, key literature only is covered. Forward looking, we consider the potential for inoculative or inundative releases of opiines in areas where they do not currently occur to be good, while conservation biological control may help to increase the impacts of parasitoids in areas where they are already established.     

Field evaluation of three-component solid food-based dispenser versus torula yeast for capturing Mediterranean and oriental fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Certain species of true fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are worldwide pests of fruits and vegetables, and many countries operate trapping programs to detect and monitor invasions. Torula yeast-borax (TYB) solution is a widely used food bait, although its effective field longevity is relatively short (1–2 weeks). This led to the development of a synthetic cone-shaped food dispenser that contains ammonium acetate, putrescine, and trimethylamine. The food cone has received limited testing, and the objective of this study was to compare captures of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)) and the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)) in traps baited with the fresh TYB solution versus traps baited with fresh or weathered food cones. Captures showed a female bias for both baits and both species. For C. capitata, fresh food cones generally attracted more individuals than fresh TYB. Weathered food cones attracted similar or greater numbers of medflies than TYB for the initial two weeks, but food cones weathered for 4 or 6 weeks attracted fewer flies than TYB. For B. dorsalis, TYB-baited traps captured more females than fresh or weathered food cone-baited traps in each of six weekly sampling periods, and the differences were statistically significant in weeks 1–4. In a release-recapture experiment, both C. capitata and B. dorsalis were captured in higher numbers in traps baited with fresh TYB than those baited with food cones weathered for 0 (fresh) to 6 weeks. The implications of these results for fruit fly surveillance are discussed.     

Irradiation effect on the structure of bacterial communities associated with the oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalis

The role of symbiotic microbes in insects, especially the beneficial character of this interaction for insects, has received much attention in recent years as it has been related to important aspects of the host insects' biology such as development, reproduction, survival, and fitness. Among insect hosts, tephritid fruit flies are well known to form beneficial associations with their symbionts. To control these destructive agricultural pests, environmentally friendly approaches, like the sterile insect technique as a component of integrated pest management strategies, remain most effective. In this study, changes in the bacterial profile of mass‐reared oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), were examined in both larval and adult stages and also after irradiation by employing a 16S rRNA gene‐based Illumina sequencing approach. Proteobacteria was the prevalent bacterial phylum in non‐irradiated adults and larvae. Alphaproteobacteria was the most abundant class in larvae but almost absent in adults, which was dominated by Gammaproteobacteria. Firmicutes were present in both developmental stages but at lower relative abundance. At genus level, Acetobacter prevailed in the larval stage and members of the Enterobacteriaceae family in adults. Irradiated samples exhibited higher diversity and richness indices compared to the non‐irradiated oriental fruit flies, whereas no significant changes were observed between the two developmental stages of the non‐irradiated samples. Lactobacillus, members of the Orbacecae family, and Morganella were detected but to a lesser degree upon irradiation, whereas the relative abundance of Lactococcus and Orbus increased. The bacterial profile of larvae appeared to be different compared to that of adult B. dorsalis flies. The subsequent application of irradiation at the pupal stage led to the development of different microbiota between treated and untreated samples, affecting diversity and operational taxonomic unit composition. Irradiated samples of oriental fruit flies were characterized by higher species diversity and richness.     

Invasion history of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, in the Pacific-Asia region: two main invasion routes

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, was initially recorded in Taiwan Island in 1912, and has dispersed to many areas in the Pacific-Asia region over the last century. The area of origin of the species may be confidently placed in South-East China. However, routes of range expansion to new areas and underlying population processes remain partially unclear, despite having been the subject of several studies. To explore the invasion history of this species, a partition of the cox1 gene of mitochondrial DNA was used to investigate genetic diversity, haplotype phylogeny and demographic history of 35 populations, covering China and South-East Asia and including marginal populations from Pakistan and Hawaii. Based on neighbor-joining tree analysis and the distribution of haplotypes, two main invasion routes are inferred: one from South-East China to Central China, another from South-East China to South-East Asia, with both routes probably coinciding in Central China. Populations in Taiwan Island and Hainan Island might have originated in South-East China. The marginal populations in Pakistan and Hawaii might have undergone founding events or genetic bottlenecks. Possible strategies for the control of this species are proposed based on the invasion history and reconstructed expansion routes.     

Behavioral responses of female oriental fruit flies to the odor of papayas at three ripeness stages in a laboratory flight tunnel (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Behavioral responses of adult female oriental fruit flies, Dacus dorsalisHendel, to the odor of papayas from three ripeness classes were studied using a threechoice flight tunnel bioassay. Laboratoryreared flies were allowed to respond freely to any of three papaya odors (mature green, colorbreak to one-fourth ripe, and one-half to full ripe) emanating from identical (spherical) fruit models. Five behaviors were measured in assessing the fly's relative attraction to the odors (number of landings), arrestment (total fly seconds on sphere), fly-fly interactions on the fruit model (maximum and modal fly density), and acceptance for oviposition (total eggs laid). Females showed no significant difference in total fly landings based on all age classes combined. Significant differences were noted among age classes. Females spent more total time on the sphere and showed a higher maximum density and modal fly density to ripe fruit than to green fruit odors. Ovipositional acceptance of fruit models based on the total number of eggs laid in a sphere was greater in response to the ripefruit odor than to the other two odor classes. Olfactorystimulated behavioral responses of females to the odor of ripe papayas were significantly different from the other ripeness classes for all behaviors at 8 days postemergence and then declined in 11-day-old flies. Behavioral responses were greater during the afternoon than in the morning. Observations of wild oriental fruit flies to papayas in the field indicated a preference for residing on riper fruit. The results of this study are discussed with regard to the role of olfactory inputs generated by the odor of ripening fruit on female attraction and oviposition behavior resulting in infestation of papayas by oriental fruit fly.     

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ORIENTAL FRUIT FLY (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) IN YUNNAN PROVINCE*

Abstract The Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a serious pest inaect for vegetables and fruits in Yunnan Province. The trap experiments located in 12 counties of Yunnan indicated that, the geographical distribution of Oriental fruit fly there could be plotted as three distribution zones. To the south of Guannan, Yuanjiang and Rulin is the annual distribution zone. In this region, the Oriental fruit fly completed 4–5 generations per year, and infested the local vegetables and fruits all the year around. To the north of Luku, Dayiao and Qujing is the zone without the insect, where the Oriental fruit fly was not trapped and no fruits infested by the fly were found during the present study. The region between the above two zones was the seasonal distribution zone for the insect. The fruit fly occurred only during May to December in this area, and completed 2–3 generations in this period. The peak abundance of the oriental fruit fly took place from June in Jinghong to October in Yiaoan, along the altitude graduates from the south to the north. In elevation, the Oriental fruit fly was trapped at altitude of 500–2300 m above sea level, in which high trap catches appeared between 500–1000 m. It is proposed that the variations of the fruit fly distribution in altitude and latitude are principally correlated with local temperatures and host plants.     

Comparison of the diversity of the bacterial communities in the intestinal tract of adult Bactrocera dorsalis from three different populations

Aims: To (i) identify the bacterial communities in the gut of oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) adult and (ii) determine whether the different surroundings and diets influence the bacteria composition. Methods and Results: Polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting was used to investigate bacterial diversity in the oriental fruit fly adult gut. The 16S rDNA cloned libraries from the intestinal tract of laboratory‐reared (LR), laboratory sterile sugar‐reared (LSSR) and field‐collected (FC) populations of oriental fruit fly were compared. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA revealed that Gammaproteobacteria were dominant in the all samples (73·0–98·3%). Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were judged to be major components of a given library as they constituted 10% or more of the total clones of such library. The Flavobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Alphaproteobacteria were observed in small proportions in various libraries. Further phylogenetic analyses indicated common bacterial phylotypes for all three libraries, e.g. those related to Klebsiella, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Pectobacterium and Serratia. libshuff analysis showed that the bacterial communities of B. dorsalis from the three populations were significantly different from each other (P < 0·0085). Conclusions: (i) The intestinal tract of B. dorsalis adult contains a diverse bacterial community, some of which are stable. (ii) Different environmental conditions and food supply could influence the diversity of the harboured bacterial communities and increase community variations. Significance and Impact of the Study: Comparison of the microbial compositions and common bacterial species found in this paper may be very important for the biocontrol of B. dorsalis.