Dacus (Didacus) ciliatus Loew

White, Ian M. & Goodger, Kim F. M., 2009, African Dacus (Diptera: Tephritidae); New Species and Data, with Particular Reference to the Tel Aviv University Collection, Zootaxa 2127, pp. 1-49 : 10-11

Dacus (Didacus) ciliatus Loew

Dacus ciliatus Loew, 1862: 7

Other synonyms: White (2006: 81)

Material. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: 1 male, Wadi Maidaq, 25 o18’N, 56 o 7’E, 4 – 15.ii.2006, A. van Harten (3444) ( MHNG); 1 female, Sharjah Desert Park, 25o17’N, 55 o42’E, 4 – 8.xii.2004, A. van Harten (378), ( MHNG).

Remarks. This is a widespread African and south Asian species. These two non-African specimens have what appears to be a short medial yellow vitta but unlike most species with a medial vitta, it is confined to the posterior half of the post-scutal area. They also have a small barely discernable yellow mark at the extreme postero-lateral corner of the scutum. In all other respects they appear to be D. ciliatus and as these yellow marks appear to be artifact (or mere surface colour) rather than true vittae, these specimens will not be described as a distinct species. Most specimens of D. ciliatus from UAE are typical of the species but some show signs of the laterotergal xanthine extending onto the anatergite, a feature never observed in Africa.