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genus Ceratitis

genus Ceratitis

9.9
A group of fruit flies like the Mediterranean fruit fly that damage crops
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs səˈrætɪtɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Ceratitis
  • The genus Ceratitis includes the Mediterranean fruit fly, a key pest in agriculture.

Examples

  • The genus Ceratitis includes several species of fruit flies.

  • The genus Ceratitis includes several important agricultural pests.

  • Scientists studied the life cycle of insects in the genus Ceratitis.

  • Some species within the genus Ceratitis have spread worldwide due to human activity.

  • Scientists are studying the genus Ceratitis for its agricultural impact.

  • Scientists studied the life cycle of insects in the genus Ceratitis famous for its fruit flies.

  • Some species within the genus Ceratitis are known to cause significant damage to crops.

Synonyms

Ceratitis
vsgenus Ceratitis
  • Specialized
9.9

A small fly that lays eggs in fruit and damages crops

is defined by its place within the Tephritidae family rather than by crop damage

Surface Forms

Morphology

genus + Ceratitis

This is a straightforward taxonomic combination: 'genus' (a biological rank) plus the proper name 'Ceratitis' clearly denotes the genus called Ceratitis. Although the referent is specialized, the construction is fully compositional and follows cross-linguistic scientific naming patterns, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Genus Ceratitis is a scientific name made of two parts: genus means a 'group' of related types, and Ceratitis may come from a Greek word meaning 'horn' because some fruit flies have horn-like body parts. So the name tells you this is a 'group' of fruit flies that share those features.