Intraspecific variation of cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in the A nastrepha fraterculus ( D iptera: T ephritidae) species complex

The goal of this study was to define whether cuticular hydrocarbons ( CH s) could be used for taxonomic determination of putative species hidden in the A nastrepha fraterculus cryptic species complex, widespread from A rgentina to M exico. Recently, increasing evidence of phenotypic and genetic variability has resulted in the characterization of eight morphotypes within this complex. The CH profiles of six A . fraterculus populations from A rgentina, B razil, P eru, C olombia and M exico were analysed in this study by two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. In parallel, multiple factorial analyses were used to elucidate population structures. Vector populations segregated into four distinct groups. The analysis demonstrated that the studied populations from P eru, A rgentina and southern B razil ( V acaria) might be classified in accordance with the earlier division of the A . fraterculus complex into P eruvian, and B razilian‐1 cryptic species, using the specific CH profiles. Population from south‐eastern B razil ( P iracicaba) formed separated group. Mexican and A ndean ( C olombian) putative species had similar CH signatures, when compared to each other.