Pegomya

Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830

Species Guides

Pegomya is a of flies in the Anthomyiidae comprising diverse with varied larval feeding strategies. Larvae exhibit leaf mining, stem boring, gall induction, seed feeding, and mycophagy. Several species are economically significant agricultural pests, including those attacking sugar beet, spinach, and cruciferous crops. Some species have been investigated for of plants.

Pegomya winthemi by (c) Janet Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pegomya bicolor by (c) Markus Krieger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Markus Krieger. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pegomya bicolor by (c) Evan M. Raskin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Evan M. Raskin. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pegomya: /ˌpɛɡoʊˈmaɪə/

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Images

Distribution

Europe (primary native range); some introduced to North America (e.g., Pegomya curticornis, P. euphorbiae) and Japan (P. cunicularia, P. exilis). GBIF records indicate presence in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Diet

Highly variable across : leaf parenchyma (leaf miners), stem pith and vascular tissue (borers), seeds (e.g., Hypericum spp.), and fungal sporocarps (Boletaceae). Specific diet is species-dependent and not generalizable to level.

Life Cycle

deposited on or near tissue. Larvae feed internally in leaves, stems, seeds, or fungi depending on . occurs within host tissue or soil. Some species exhibit facultative (observed in P. mixta).

Behavior

Larvae of some exhibit gregarious feeding within shared mines (e.g., P. nigritarsis). Clutch size varies with leaf size and correlates with larval survival. Some species induce gall formation through stem boring combined with callus induction.

Ecological Role

Agricultural pests of root and leaf crops; potential biocontrol agents for plants (e.g., leafy spurge, Hypericum spp.). Mycophagous contribute to fungal sporocarp decomposition.

Human Relevance

Several are significant agricultural pests: P. betae (beet fly), P. hyoscyami complex (beet and spinach leaf miners), P. brassicae (turnip maggot). Some species investigated for of weeds.