Hawthorn flies and apple flies are
considered to be two races of the
species complex Rhagoletis pomonella. The flies are textbook examples for the process of sympatric speciation
Are apple and hawthorn maggot flies separate species *?
Hawthorn and apple maggot flies are physically indistinguishable. – However, they are genetically distinct, with different genetic profiles.
There is no geographic isolation or physical separation between hawthorn
and apple maggot flies.
Are apple maggot flies distinct as a species from hawthorn maggot flies explain?
Hawthorn and apple maggot flies are physically indistinguishable. – However,
they are genetically distinct
, with different genetic profiles. There is no geographic isolation or physical separation between hawthorn and apple maggot flies. Maggot flies tend to mate with their own kind.
Are the flies that parasitize apple fruits and hawthorn fruits distinct species?
There is no geographic isolation or physical separation between hawthorn and apple maggot flies. However, the
flies are genetically distinct
and have recognizably different genetic profiles.
Can hawthorn and apple flies mate?
When researchers put hawthorn and apple flies together in the lab, they found that they
could produce offspring together
. These are referred to as hybrid offspring.
What do apple maggots turn into?
Once eggs hatch, larvae feed for three to four weeks. When apples drop to the ground, the larvae transform into
pupae
in the soil. Pupae spend the winter underground, emerging as adults the following summer.
Where do hawthorn flies lay their eggs?
Hawthorn flies lay eggs in
hawthorn trees
(see Figure below). The eggs hatch into larvae that feed on hawthorn fruits. Both the flies and trees are native to the U.S. Apple trees were introduced to the U.S. and often grow near hawthorn trees.
How do you control apple maggots?
- Traps need to be cleaned after each spray.
- Reapply tanglefoot if needed and begin checking the traps every day or two as before.
- Spray again and repeat the whole process, as needed.
What plant did the apple maggot fly infest before Apple trees were introduced to North America?
The original ancestral host of the apple maggot was the
wild hawthorn
(Crataegus spp.), but in the mid-1800s when the apple (Malus spp.) was introduced to North America, R. pomonella, able to take advantage of the new host, evolved.
How did apple maggots evolve?
Roughly 180 years ago, some hawthorn fruit flies in the Eastern coast of North America smelt the
fruits on apple trees
— a fairly recent import into that region from Europe — and found them attractive. Today, nearly 2 centuries later, the flies have evolved into two distinct ‘tribes’.
Is fruit preference a reproductive barrier?
Fruit preference is a
reproductive barrier for apple and hawthorn fly populations
. … Since ripe fruit is where flies mate and lay eggs, they are most likely to mate with a fly of their same type.
Why is sympatric speciation more common in plants?
Sympatric speciation occurs when populations of a species that share the same habitat become reproductively isolated from each other. … Sympatric speciation is rare. It occurs more often among plants than animals, since it is so
much easier for plants to self-fertilize
than it is for animals.
Is it safe to eat an apple with apple maggot?
Maggots are only considered safe if they’re eaten on purpose and not contaminated with harmful bacteria
. … So, an exotic delicacy with cooked maggots might be the highlight of a trip, while accidentally finding maggots in your dessert fruit could ruin the whole meal.
Are there actually worms in apples?
Adult codling moths are easily camouflaged. … Most likely the “worms” in your apples are actually
codling moth larvae
. The codling moth is a common insect pest and apples are its preferred food, although pears and English walnuts can also be targets.
Can you eat an apple that has a worm?
Your best option is to
slice the apples up
, cut out the worm tunnels (every bit of them, because they contain worm droppings, ick) and feed the children those; they are fine to eat. Sweeten the deal with honey drizzled over, or yogurt or a sweet salad dressing they can dip the slices into.
