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SCORZONERA. Viper's-grass. [Asteraceae]

Two species of Scorzonera are recorded in Britain. These include the native Viper's-grass (S. humilis).

Two British miners are recorded on Scorzonera.

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

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

1a > Leaf-miner: Larva initially forms a narrow lower surface linear mine, later producing a large blotch, frequently adjoining the leaf-margin on the upper surface. Several larva can feed together (Spencer, 1976: 269).

Upper-surface blotch at the leaf margin, preceded by a lower-surface corridor. Most frass in the centre of the blotch. Often several larvae in a mine. Primary and secondary feeding lines well visible. Pupation outside the mine.

Hosts in Britain unknown. On Lactuca and Scorzonera elsewhere. Added to British Checklist by Henshaw in Chandler, 1998: 138. Widespread in continental Europe

Liriomyza scorzonerae Rydén, 1951 [Diptera: Agromyzidae]

1b > 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.

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

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