Phytomyza
obscura Hendel, 1920
[Diptera:
Agromyzidae]
Phytomyza
obscura Hendel, 1920. Arch. Naturgesch. 84A(7)
(1918): 168
Phytomyza obscura Hendel, 1920; Spencer, 1972b. Handbk
ident. Br. Ins. 10(5g): 71, 90, 116
Phytomyza obscura Hendel, 1920; Spencer, 1990. Host
specialization in the World Agromyzidae (Diptera) : 205, 207,
208 (figs 770-1).
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Leaf-miner: Mine
beginning with a small spiral, later developing into a greenish
blotch, brown when old. Pupation frequently in mine (Spencer, 1972b: 90).
The
mine, that may be upper- or lower-surface, generally starts with
a tight spiral. Its loops are so tight that the leaf tissue dies
off and turns red; nevertheless the corridor remains well visible.
Later the corridor widens and finally a large secondary blotch develops
around the initial spiral. Frass at first in two rows of grains,
later in pearl chains. Feeding lines very clear. Pupation now within,
then outside the mine (Bladmineerders van Europa).
Larva: The larvae of flies are leg-less maggots without a head capsule (see examples). They never have thoracic or abdominal legs. They do not have chewing mouthparts, although they do have a characteristic cephalo-pharyngeal skeleton (see examples), usually visible internally through the body wall.
The larva is described by de Meijere (1926);
posterior spiracles each with approx. 13-15 bulbs in a quarter circle
(Bladmineerders van Europa).
Puparium: The puparia of flies are formed within the hardened last larval skin or puparium and as a result sheaths enclosing head appendages, wings and legs are not visible externally (see examples).
Posterior spiracles on lower protuberance larger, each with 26-28
bulbs (Spencer, 1972b: 90).
Comments:
Spencer (1990: 207) states that Phytomyza obscura is host-specific
on Satureja. S. vulgaris is a junior synonym of Clinopodium
vulgaris, which is the host plant given by Spencer (1972b:
116).
Hosts in Great Britain and Ireland:
Hosts elsewhere:
Time
of year - mines: June, September.
Time
of year - adults: Currently unknown.
Distribution
in Great Britain and Ireland: ? Oxfordshire (Oxford) (Spencer, 1972b: 90). Distribution elsewhere: Widespread in continental Europe including Austria, Azores, Bulgaria,
Canary Is., Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italian mainland,
Lithuania, Madeira, Poland, Slovakia and Spanish mainland (Fauna Europaea).
NBN Atlas links to known host species:
British and Irish Parasitoids in Britain and elsewhere:
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