Phytomyza spondylii/pastinacae agg.

The larvae of Phytomyza spondylii and Phytomyza pastinacae produce identical conspicuous, whitish linear mines on the leaves of their larval food plants, especially Hogweed. The mines cannot be reliably separated to species level and for this reason we treat them as an aggregate. It is necessary to rear through the adult and subject it to detailed examination in order to identify it to species level.  If this has not taken place you should add your records to this aggregate page.

See the National Agromyzidae Recording Scheme website for further details of larva, adult insect and host plants for each species.

Leafmine as species aggregate Adult

Around larval food plants, especially Hogweed.

Mines can be seen from May to November.

Larva exits the mine through the lower surface and falls from the leaf on pupation.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland