Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Family AGROMYZIDAE
429
Very small to small flies. The larvae of most species are
host-specific, usually mining leaves to form serpentine
or blotch-like mines characterized by double lines of
frass (cf. lepidopterous and hymenopterous leaf
miners).
Agromyza demeijerei Hendel ( 429 )
A locally abundant pest of Laburnum , particularly in
England, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Widely distributed in Europe.
DESCRIPTION
Adult: wings 2.4-3.0 mm long; black with mainly
yellow legs. Larva: up to 3 mm long; whitish.
429 Mine of Agromyza demeijerei in leaf of Laburnum .
430
LIFE HISTORY
This species has two generations annually, and adults
appear in May and in August. Larvae feed from June to
July and from September to October. Fully grown larvae
vacate their mines to pupate on the ground. Each mine,
which is restricted to the upper leaf surface, commences
as a narrow gallery along the leaf margin, but then
widens into a substantial blotch (cf. Phytomyza cytisi ,
p. 204; Leucoptera laburnella , p. 220); completed
mines eventually turn brown.
DAMAGE
The foliage of severely infested trees looks distinctly
scorched, and attacks lead to premature leaf fall.
430 Mine of Agromyza alnibetulae in leaf of Betula .
Agromyza alnibetulae Hendel ( 430 )
syn. A. albitarsis Hendel
This species occurs widely in central and northern
Europe and is often common on young birch ( Betula )
trees in parks, gardens and nurseries. The larvae (up to
3 mm long) are whitish to orange-coloured. They feed
in very long, serpentine galleries formed on the upper
side of the leaves. The mines, unlike those formed on
birch by lepidopterous pests such as Lyonetia clerkella
(p. 221), are distinctly widened towards their end and
contain a double row of black frass; the underside of the
gallery is also noticeably swollen. The larvae occur in
two main broods, from June to July and from August to
September, fully grown individuals pupating on the
ground. Adults (wings 2.2-2.5 mm long) are mainly
greyish black; they occur in May or June and from late
July to early August.
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