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

 

Phytoliriomyza scotica Spencer, 1962
[Diptera: Agromyzidae]


Phytoliriomyza scotica Spencer, 1962. Entomologist's Gaz. 13(1): 18
Phytoliriomyza scotica Spencer, 1962; Spencer, 1972b. Handbk ident. Br. Ins. 10(5g): 5, 59, 61, figs 198-9
Phytoliriomyza scotica Spencer, 1962; Spencer, 1990. Host specialization in the World Agromyzidae (Diptera) : 301.


Lifestyle: Unknown.

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.

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).

Comments: It is now believed that Phytoliriomyza pilosella, described from Florida, may represent Phytoliriomyza scotica, but more detailed study will be necessary before this possible synonymy can be formally established (Spencer, 1990: 301).

Hosts in Great Britain and Ireland: Currently unknown.

Hosts elsewhere:

Asteraceae        
Cotula australis Annual Buttonweed   Spencer, 1990: 301

Time of year - larvae: Currently unknown.

Time of year - adults: June-July.

Distribution in Great Britain and Ireland: Dunbartonshire (Bonhill) (Spencer, 1962: 18; Spencer, 1972b).

Distribution elsewhere: N. Germany (Spencer, 1972b), Canary Islands (Gomera) (Spencer, 1990: 301), French mainland, Madeira and Portuguese mainland (Fauna Europaea).

NBN Atlas links to known host species:

Cotula australis

British and Irish Parasitoids in Britain and elsewhere: Currently unknown.



External links: Search the internet:
Biodiversity Heritage Library
Bladmineerders van Europa
British leafminers
Encyclopedia of Life
Fauna Europaea
NBN Atlas
NHM UK Checklist
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