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

 

LYSIMACHIA. Creeping Jenny, Yellow Pimpernel and Loosestrifes. [Primulaceae]


Nine species of Lysimachia are recorded in Britain. These include the native Creeping Jenny (L. nemorum), Yellow Pimpernel (L. nummularia), Tufted Loosestrife (L. thyrsiflora) and Yellow Loosestrife (L. vulgaris).

Two British leaf-miners are recorded on Lysimachia.

The polyphagous agromyzid Liriomyza trifolii has been recorded in quarantine in Britain (Dom Collins (pers. comm.). See also Liriomyza species in Glasshouses and/or Quarantine Interceptions.

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

 

 

Yellow Pimpernel - Lysimachia nemorum. Image: © Brian Pitkin
Yellow Pimpernel
Lysimachia nemorum


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


1a > Leaf-miner: Initially a gallery is formed, this turning into a blotch, and later two successive conical leaf-rolls. Initially a pale, later brown, usually lower-surface blotch. The blotch is preceded by an epidermal corridor, but that may be obliterated by the later blotch. Silk at the inside of the mine causes it to buckle up a bit and fold. The reddish brown frass is accumulated in a corner of the mine. The older larva leaves the mine and continues feeding inside an untidy cone, made by cutting off a strip of leaf tissue and stitching it in place with silk.

On Fallopia, Lysimachia, Persicaria, Polygonum and Rumex in Britain and Chenopodium, Lysimachia, Lythrum, Persicaria, Oxyria, Persicaria, Polygonum and Rumex elsewhere. Occurring locally in England, Scotland and parts of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Calybites phasianipennella (Hübner, 1813) [Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae].

1b > Leaf-miner: Lower surface blotch without folds, with irregular corridor-like extensions; centre of the mine brownish. Frass dispersed..

Larva of Monochroa conspersella on Lysimachia vulgaris

Larva of Monochroa conspersella on Lysimachia vulgaris
Image: W. Ellis (Bladmineerders von Europa)

On Lysimachia vulgaris in Britain and continental Europe. A local species, which can be abundant, found in damp areas and fens. Widespread in continental Europe.

Monochroa conspersella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854) [Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae]



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