Phytomyza hellebori

The larvae of the fly Phytomyza hellebori mine the leaves of Clematis and Helleborus species, and particularly those of Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus). The leafmines can be either linear, or blotch-like. Pupation may occur internally or externally.

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

On Clematis, the leafmines of Phytomyza anemones, Phytomyza fulgens, Phytomyza kaltenbachi and Phytomyza vitalbae may be identical.

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

Leafmine Adult

Leafmine: this leafmine can only safely be recorded if found on Helleborus species. Please include a back-lit phorograph of the leafmine and state the host species. Mines on Clematis must be reared through and the adult identified.

Host species: Helleborus, Clematis

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 may be found in most months of the year.

First found in Britain in 2000 it has become fairly widely distributed in England but can sometimes be rather local.

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

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.