This project aims to develop a set of diagnostic markers for species identification of the queensland fruit fly (bactrocera tryoni)

Activities will include using whole genome sequencing on a series of b. Tryoni species complex specimen using various next generation sequencing methods. Both a reference genome and sequences representing specimens from different regions of the b tryoni complex will be obtained from whole genome and identify informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (snps) to aid in differentiating between species found in this species complex and compare to COI sequencing. Deliverables will include a report on performance and cost of a set of diagnostic molecular markers to use these methods as an application for species identification and DNA sequencing resources will be release to aphis and the public through genbank. These efforts will benefit the agricultural quarantine and inspection program, national identification services, and customs and border protections by providing methods to accurately identify these tephritid pests that have occasionally been intercepted at ports of entries and allow for a more efficient risk analysis to prevent bringing these pests to our shores.