Project Number: 5352-22000-017-33
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: May 01, 2007
End Date: Apr 30, 2009

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to discover diagnostic morphological and molecular differences between apple and snowberry flies and to support quarantine and remediation programs in Washington.

Approach:
Specific shape features such as the genitalia and wings of apple maggot and snowberry flies will be photographed and analyzed using a computer program that quantifies shape measures. The sizes of various structures will also be measured under a microscope. Characters that prove not useful will be replaced with others. Molecular methods will also be used to separate apple maggot and snowberry flies. These will involve the use of primers that will be screened using PCR with the DNA extractions from 10 individuals of each species. Separation of apple and snowberry maggots will be compared using genetic distance measures based on measured band sizes in high resolution gels. Documents Trust with WA TFRC. Log 32980.