Identification tools > Multi-entry key

The key can be used online or downloaded for free.

 

About the multi-entry key

African frugivorous fruit flies are a species rich group for which identification at the species level is not always straightforward. Nevertheless, before research and pest control programs can be established, the correct identification of the (pest) species is necessary. Such identification is often based on the use of traditional dichotomous identification keys, also known as 'single-access' keys (two choices for each identification step).

However, the technical specific terminology used in these keys is a stumbling block for non-specialists who are unfamiliar with the morphology and taxonomy of fruit flies. Moreover, when these keys are used, identification fails when users cannot respond to a question in the key (because they lack the needed taxonomic expertise, or the key is not clear enough, or the specimen is damaged, etc.).

For this reason, the RMCA in collaboration with the Natural History Museum (London, UK), developed the first ‘multi-entry’ key for African fruit flies. Instead of using one character at a time, anywhere from 11 to 95 characters (using different parts of the insect’s body like wings, antenna, legs, etc) can be used. Through the interactive displays the user answers a series of questions about the visible characteristics of a fruit fly specimen. Images and illustrations guide users where to look for distinguishing morphological traits and how they look like, such as colours and shapes of body parts. The answers provided by the user gradually eliminate the options until the fruit fly species is identified.

 

Some feature of the key:

  • in total, 394 species of African fruit flies can be identified using this key;
  • all major pest species, both indigenous and introduced, are included;
  • hypertext links provide information on taxonomy, host plants, distribution areas, collection specimens, and genetic information when available;

Credits:
This work has been co-funded by the Belgian Development Cooperation (through framework agreement with the RMCA) and by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA - Vienna, project "Development of a Web Based Multi Entry Key for Fruit Infesting Tephritidae", contract n. 16859). We are grateful to the JEMU (Joint Experimental Molecular Unit) for continuous support. We are grateful to Alain Reygel; Annelies Kayenbergh (RMCA - Tervuren), Georg Goergen (International Institute of Tropical Agriulture - Cotonou), and Antoine Franck (CIRAD Pôle de Protection des Plantes - La Réunion) for their valuable contribution to the image dataset.