Agromyza

Fallén, 1810

Species Guides

30

A of small flies in the Agromyzidae. are distinguished by stridulatory files on the first two abdominal tergites and that are usually white or yellow. The genus is best known for its leaf-mining larvae, which feed internally on plant leaf tissue. Some are minor agricultural pests of crops including corn and rice.

Agromyza varifrons by (c) Isaac Winkler, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Isaac Winkler. Used under a CC-BY license.Agromyza reptans by (c) Mathew* Zappa, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mathew* Zappa. Used under a CC-BY license.Agromyza soka by (c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Richman. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Agromyza: /ˌæɡrəˈmaɪzə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

possess stridulatory files on the first two abdominal tergites in both sexes—a diagnostic feature for the . are typically white or yellow, though darker in some tropical . These characters separate Agromyza from related agromyzid genera.

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Distribution

Records indicate presence in Europe (including Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden), North America (Vermont, Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, New Mexico), and Asia (Russia, China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand).

Diet

Larvae are leaf miners, feeding on internal leaf tissue of plants. Documented hosts include corn (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), reed (Phragmites spp.), and wildrice (Zizania aquatica).

Host Associations

  • Zea mays - herbivorelarval ; corn blotch leafminer Agromyza parvicornis
  • Oryza sativa - herbivorelarval ; Agromyza oryzae
  • Triticum aestivum - herbivorelarval ; Agromyza oryzae
  • Phragmites spp. - herbivorelarval ; Agromyza oryzae
  • Zizania aquatica - herbivorelarval ; Agromyza oryzae

Behavior

Larvae create blotch mines in leaves. A few form galls rather than leaf mines.

Ecological Role

Larvae function as herbivores; some serve as for insects.

Human Relevance

Some are minor agricultural pests. Agromyza parvicornis is a sporadic pest of corn. Agromyza oryzae affects rice, wheat, and related grasses.

Similar Taxa

  • PhytomyzaAlso in Agromyzidae with leaf-mining larvae; distinguished by different including lack of stridulatory files on first two tergites
  • LiriomyzaRelated agromyzid leaf miners; Agromyza separated by stridulatory files and typically pale

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Sources and further reading