Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Family
TEPHRITIDAE
They appear in late April and early May, depositing
eggs on the underside of leaves. The eggs hatch in about
a week, larvae then mine within the leaf blades to form
expansive brownish blotches in which black deposits of
frass accumulate. The larvae (up to 7 mm long) are
greenish white and translucent, with a pointed head end
and prominent black mouth-hooks. They often feed
gregariously within the same blotch, and development
takes about three weeks. Fully fed larvae pupate within
the mine or in the soil, each in a yellowish (5 mm long)
puparium. Adults emerge about four weeks later,
usually in late July and August. Larvae of the second
generation complete their development in the autumn,
individuals overwintering within puparia; in favourable
conditions a third generation is possible.
Small flies, often with large, colourful eyes, patterned
wings and, in females, a rigid sheath around the
ovipositor. Larvae are maggot-like; they feed mainly
within plant tissue, some living as leaf miners.
Euleia heraclei
(Linnaeus) (
425-426
)
Celery fly
Although mainly regarded as a pest of celery, this
generally common species also attacks other cultivated
umbelliferous hosts (Apiaceae), including giant
hogweed (
Heracleum mantegazzianum
). Adults (wings
5 mm long) are mainly brown to black, with a yellow
scutellum, yellow legs and smoky-patterned wings.
425
425
Mine of celery fly (
Euleia heraclei
) in leaf of
Heracleum
.
426
426
Larva of celery fly (
Euleia heraclei
).
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