Liriomyza pusilla

Description

The larvae of the Agromyzid fly Liriomyza pusilla create irregular but linear mines on the upper surface leaves of Daisy (Bellis perennis). The mine winds across the leaf, often crossing over itself. Small leaves may have a secondary blotch at the end of the mine. Frass, when visible, is in short pearl-like strings. Pupation takes place outside the mine.

See the National Agromyzidae Recording Scheme webpage for this species for further details of puparium and adult insect.

Similar Species

Chromatomyia asteris / Chromatomyia horticola / Liriomyza eupatorii

ref.: Warrington, B.P. (2023).  Liriomyza pusilla. Accessed at https://agromyzidae.co.uk/species/agromyzidae/phytomyzinae/liriomyza/li… on 13/12/2023)

Identification difficulty

Leafmine Adult

Recording advice

Leafmine: Please provide photograph of the leafmine and state the host plant.

Habitat

Host plants: Daisy is the most common host but this species has been found to mine a number of other plant species.

When to see it

Click on the 'further details' link in the 'Description' section above.  Then click on the Phenology tab which will provide phenology details for both adult and larval stages.

Leafmines are mostly recorded between June and November, but may be visible in Daisy leaves for much of the year.

UK Status

In Britain this species is classed as Nationally Scarce B.

Warrington, B. P. 2022. A provisional review of the status of Agromyzidae in Great Britain & Northern Ireland

VC55 Status

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Flies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Agromyzidae
Records on NatureSpot:
15
First record:
10/11/2017 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
12/10/2023 (Smith, Peter)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records