Tephritis conura
One of many similar fruit flies with heavily patterned wings. It is sometimes possible to identify a species based on the wing patterning but some variation does occur, even within members of the same species. We suggest expert help be sought when identifying this species.
The larva cause galls in Cirsum palustre and C heterophyllum.
Adult 
Gall 
Areas where the host plants are found
All year - but peak time is late spring to early autumn.
Tephritis conura was previously associated with Melancholy Thistle (Cirsium heterophyllum) which is not found in Leicestershire and Rutland, but latest reports suggest that populations is northern Britain are using the substitute larval foodplant Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre) which is quite common in our area.
To follow.
Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.
John Tinning
Queniborough garden
23 March 2020
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Species profile
- Species group:
- insect - true fly (Diptera)
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Diptera
- Family:
- Tephritidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 2
- First record:
- 23/03/2020 (Tinning, John)
- Last record:
- 08/02/2023 (Gamble, David)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.