Background
The Bactrocera dorsalis complex species is a group of true fruit flies belonging to
Tephritidae, with great economic importance. Following the most recent
taxonomic revisions, this complex is currently harboring approximately 90
morphological similar taxa [1, 2]. Among them, eight are considered as economic
important pests [2], including among others B. dorsalis s.s., B. philippinensis, B.
papayae and B. carambolae. In 2003, an addition to the complex was made: B.
invadens was detected in Kenya, and initially was considered a morphological
variant of B. dorsalis s.s. [3]. However, in the following years it was recognized as
a different species within the B. dorsalis complex [4]. Ever since that revision in
2005, there were doubts regarding whether all these members really represent welldifferentiated
species, mainly due to the lack of robust diagnostic characters [5].