August 2010. A fruit fly species was sent from Indonesia for identification. It was collected from watermelon.

A member mentioned that there is a very good fruit fly collection in Indonesia. The pictures resembled those of the jackfruit fruit fly, especially the wing markings. It would be sensible to rear any Tephritid eggs or larvae in watermelon to the adult stage to confirm the host association.

The sender said that it does resemble the jackfruit fruit fly from its wing markings, but there is a significant difference between jackfruit fruit fly (B umbrosus) and the specimens sent. The shape of its wing markings are different as can be seen from the photos. It had been assumed that it was Rhagoletis sp. Another member said it was not Bactrocera, but was not sure that it was Rhagoletis.

It was also suggested that before thinking about Rhagoletis, it could be a species Philophylla Rondani, belonging to the subfamily Trypetinae and the Trypetini tribe. A new species of this genus was collected recently in New Caledonia.

Later (October 2010). A member showed the images to a fruit fly expert who said that the specimens appears to be Cecidochares connexa, a biological control fly introduced to Indonesia, East Timor and PNG, forming galls on Cromolaena odorata. Positive identification would require comparison with actual specimens.