Phytomyza conyzae

Description

The larva of the fly Phytomyza conyzae mines the leaves of various Fleabanes, including Common Fleabane. The mine can be either an upper or lower surface corridor, often located by the midrib. Frass often appears in in pearl strings. The mine initially starts pale but soon becomes darker.

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

Similar Species

Chromatomyia horticola/syngenesiae

ref.: Warrington, B.P. (2023).  Phytomyza conyzae. Accessed at https://agromyzidae.co.uk/species/agromyzidae/phytomyzinae/phytomyza/ph… on 13/12/2023)

Identification difficulty

Leafmine Adult

Recording advice

Leafmine: Please provide a back-lit image of the mine and state the host plant.

Habitat

Where the host plants (Fleabanes) occur.

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.

The leafmines can be found in most months, but mainly between June and September.

UK Status

In Britain this species is fairly widespread but quite local.

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:
8
First record:
04/07/2018 (Timms, Sue)
Last record:
25/09/2023 (Smith, Peter)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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