The leaf and stem mines of British flies and other insects
 

(Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera)

by Brian Pitkin, Willem Ellis, Colin Plant and Rob Edmunds

  

ODONTITES. Bartsias. [Scrophulariaceae]

Two species of Odontites are recorded in Britain. These include the native Red Bartsia (O. vernus) and the introduced French Bartsia (O. jaubertianus).

Only one British miner is recorded on Odontites.

A key to the European miners recorded on Odontites is provided in Bladmineerders van Europa.

 Sneezewort - Achillea ptarmica. Image: © Brian Pitkin
Red Bartsia
Odontites vernus

Key for the identification of the known mines of British
insects (Diptera and non-Diptera) recorded on Odontites

1 > Leaf-miner: Oviposition takes place in an upper leaf and a short mine is formed either in the leaf or stem, but the larva feeds primarily in the stem. Pupating in the stem (Spencer, 1976: 487 (fig. 857), 488).

Short and narrow corridor in the leaves, bracts or even calyx, ending in a thick vein. From there the larva descends as a borer. Infested plants largely die off. Pupation and hibernation within the mine.

On Odontites in Britain and Euphrasia, Melampyrum, Odontites and Rhinanthus elsewhere. Distribution in Britain unknown. Widespread in continental Europe. Also recorded in Canada.

Phytomyza rostrata Hering, 1934 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

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