3 SYMPATRIC SPECIES OF BLEPHARONEURA (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) ON A SINGLE-SPECIES OF HOST (GURANIA-SPINULOSA, CUCURBITACEAE) - NEW SPECIES AND NEW TAXONOMIC METHODS

We describe two new species of Blepharoneura (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Venezuela and Trinidad and redescribe Blepharoneura atomaria (Fabricius), comb.n. Each of the morphologically similar sympatric species feeds on a different tissue of Gurania spinulosa Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae): seeds (B.manchesteri, sp.n.), male flowers (B. atomaria), and female flowers (B.perkinsi, sp.n.). With the help of elementary school children and teachers we developed new methods for detecting and describing wing patterns. We present frequency distributions of character states and describe a denticulate area within the distiphallus that may function as a holdfast. For each species we provide notes on the ecology and behaviour of larvae and adults.