Saxifraga [Saxifragaceae] in Leaf and stem mines of British flies and other insects

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

SAXIFRAGA. Saxifrages and London Prides. [Saxifragaceae]

Thirty four species, subspecies and hybrids of Saxifraga are recorded in Britain. These include the native St Patrick's-cabbage (S. spathularis), Kidney Saxifrage (S. hirsuta) and Yellow Saxifrage (S. aizoides). The BSBI provide a downloadable plant crib for Saxifraga and Saxifrage hirculus vs Ranunuclus flammula.

Four British miners are recorded on Saxifraga.

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

Meadow Saxifrage
Saxifraga granulata

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

1a > Leaf-miner: In the first instar the larva mines the leaves, forming short, irregular, blotch-like mines, but in later instars it lives externally, feeding in spun leaves and often twisting those of tender shoots. Larval head light-brown or yellowish brown, edged with black postero-laterally, ocellar area blackish; prothoracic plate black edged with whitish anteriorly; abdomen dull dark green; pinacula distinct, black, sometimes brownish but with black bases to setae; anal plate large, black (Bradley et al., 1973). Small, full depth mine without a definite shape; little frass. Some silk is deposited in the mine. The larva soon leaves the mine and continues feeding among spun leaves.larva soon leaves the mine and continues feeding among spun leaves.

Polyphagous. On numerous genera and species of several plant families, but not yet on Saxifraga, in Britain. On numerous genera and species of several plant families, including Saxifraga, elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe. Also recorded from the Channel Is.

Cnephasia incertana (Treitschke, 1835) [Lepidoptera: Tortricidae].

1b > Leaf-miner: The leaf rosette is covered by several larvae with a spinning, under which each larva mines out a few leaves. Sometimes a leaf contains one or a few large frass pellets. Pupation outside the mine.

On Saxifraga in Britain and elsewhere. Britain including Mid Perth, South Aberdeen and West Sutherland. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Kessleria saxifragae (Stainton, 1868) [Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae].

1c > Leaf-miner: The larva mines a number of leaves from their base upwards. The larva hibernates in a hibernaculum in the heart of the plant; pupation outside the mine.

On Saxifraga in Britain and elsewhere. Locally common in gardens on both sides of the Pennines and in southern Scotland. in southern Scotland (UKMoths) including Dunbarton, Mid-west York, Renfrew, South-west York. Also recorded in the Burren, Co. Clare, Ireland. Continental Europe including French mainland and Italian mainland.

Stenoptilia millieridactylus (Bruand, 1861) [Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae].

1d > Leaf-miner: Full depth mine; in parts of the mine the parenchyma remain untouched. The larva enters and exits the leaf by means of an oval opening of 3-5 mm at the base, near the leaf edge. Pupation external.

On Sedum telephium and Umbilicus rupestris in Britain. Elsewhere also on Sedum rosea, Sedum telephium and Saxifraga rotundifolia. Widespread in southern England. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Cheilosia semifasciata Becker, 1894 [Diptera: Syrphidae].


	Last updated 07-Jul-2019 Brian Pitkin