Phytomyza bipunctata

Alternative names
Echinops Leaf Miner
Description

The larvae of the fly Phytomyza bipunctata mine the leaves of Echinops species (Globe Thistles). The long, white mines have frass in long strips on alternate sides of the gallery.

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

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

Identification difficulty

Leafmine   Adult

Recording advice

Leafmine: please provide a back-lit image of the leafmine and state the host plant.

Habitat

Host plants: Globe Thistles (Echinops)

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 may be found from June to December.

Life History

Pupation usually outside of the mine.

UK Status

In Britain this species is classed as Nationally Scarce A.

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

VC55 Status

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland, but may be under recorded in our area.

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:
insect - true fly (Diptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Agromyzidae
Records on NatureSpot:
18
First record:
15/06/2020 (Dejardin, Andrew)
Last record:
21/10/2025 (Smith, Peter)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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