Phytomyza paraciliata

The larvae of the Agromyzid fly Phytomyza paraciliata mine the leaves of Leucanthemum species such as Oxeye Daisy and Shasta Daisy. The mine is initially long and linear, but then doubles back. Initially the mine appears on the underside of the leaf but later appears on upper surface. The frass appears in discrete grains along a loose string, gradually become more dense as the larva grows.

A number of species produce similar mines on these plants so the larva must be reared to the adult stage and then males can be identified from an examination of the genitalia. Females are very difficult to identify.

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

The leafmine is indistinguishable from the mines of Chromatomyia horticola, Chromatomyia syngenesiae, Phytomyza leucanthemi, and Phytomyza tanaceti so the adult must be reared and examined.

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

Leafmine Adult

Can only be recorded to species level when reared through - males can then be identified from genitalia. Females are difficult to determine.

Host plant(s): Leucanthemum species such as Oxeye Daisy and Shasta Daisy

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 may be found from March to September.

In Britain this species is classed as pRDB 2. The Stoney Stanton record was only the 7th confirmed record for this species held in the national database - and when recorded in 2020 was the most northerley, although this is no longer the case.

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

Rare or rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.