Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Family ANTHOMYIIDAE
Phytomyza vitalbae Kaltenbach ( 461 )
This widespread leaf miner is associated with wild
traveller's joy ( Clematis vitalba ) and will also attack
various kinds of Clematis grown in cultivation. The
larvae form long, irregular linear mines on the upper
surface of leaves, causing noticeable distortion. Larvae
eventually pupate externally in dark brown puparia.
Adults (wings 2.2 mm long) are mainly black with a
yellow scutellum.
Adults are 'house fly'-like. The maggot-like larvae
possess distinctive mouthparts; several species attack
roots and stems of cultivated plants.
Delia cardui (Meigen) ( 462 )
Carnation fly
A common pest of greenhouse and outdoor carnation
( Dianthus caryophyllus ), pink ( D. plumarius ) and sweet
william ( D. barbatus ). Widespread in Europe.
Pseudonapomyza dianthicola Venturi
syn. Paraphytomyza dianthicola (Venturi)
Mediterranean carnation leaf miner
The primarily Mediterranean leaf miner is a potentially
serious pest of carnation ( Dianthus caryophyllus ). The
larvae form linear mines, which extend down the leaf
blade, usually on the underside, each gallery gradually
widening into an elongate blotch (cf. mines of
Amauromyza flavifrons, p. 196); feeding may also occur
in the stems. There are several generations each year.
Serious attacks have occurred in Belgium, but reports of
this pest in northern Europe are usually limited to the
discovery of mines on plants imported from
Mediterranean regions, including Crete, Greece, Italy
and the South of France.
DESCRIPTION
Adult: 6 mm long; mainly greyish brown. Larva: up to
10 mm long; creamy white.
LIFE HISTORY
Adults occur throughout the summer but do not become
sexually mature until the autumn. Eggs are then laid in
the leaf axils of host plants or on the soil close by. The
eggs hatch about two weeks later. The larvae then
burrow into the leaves to form elongate blotch mines
(cf. Amauromyza flavifrons , p. 196). Larvae may also
bore into the pith of the shoots. When fully grown,
either in late autumn or late winter, the larvae enter the
soil. They eventually pupate in the spring, and adults
emerge about two months later.
DAMAGE
Affected leaves are extensively discoloured by the
mines, and may eventually wither and die. Infested
shoots may also be killed.
461
462
461 Mine of Phytomyza vitalbae in leaf of Clematis .
462 Mine of carnation fly ( Delia cardui ) in leaf of Dianthus.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search