Calycomyza humeralis
(Roser, 1840)
aster leafminer
Calycomyza humeralis, commonly known as the aster , is a of leaf-mining in the . The species was first described by Roser in 1840. It is known for its larval habit of creating distinctive mines in the leaves of plants, particularly those in the Asteraceae family. The species has a broad global distribution, having been recorded across multiple continents including Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Calycomyza humeralis: /ˌkælɪkoʊˈmaɪzə hjuːˈmɛrəlɪs/
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Distribution
The has been recorded from Canada, the United States, Europe, Hawaii, Japan, Africa, India, Australia, Fiji, Jamaica, Brazil, and Argentina. Distribution records also confirm presence in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.
Diet
are , feeding internally on leaf tissue of plants. Based on the and known biology of the , Asteraceae (aster ) plants are likely primary hosts, though specific host records for this require verification.
Life Cycle
As a member of the , the undergoes with , larval, pupal, and stages. develop within leaf mines, feeding on mesophyll tissue between the upper and lower leaf . Specific details of developmental timing and strategy are not documented.
Behavior
are with typical dipteran capabilities. are sedentary , remaining within their feeding galleries until mature. The mining creates visible trails or blotches on leaves.
Ecological Role
As a , the functions as a primary consumer of tissue. The feeding damage is generally not lethal to plants but may reduce photosynthetic capacity. The species likely serves as for and other that specialize on leaf-mining .
Human Relevance
The may be of minor economic concern in ornamental plantings of Asteraceae, though it is not considered a major agricultural pest. It has been documented in citizen science observations, with 119 records on iNaturalist as of the data retrieval date.
Similar Taxa
- Other Calycomyza speciesThe Calycomyza contains numerous leaf-mining that are morphologically similar and require examination of male or molecular analysis for definitive identification. Many species are specialized to particular genera.
- Phytomyza species (Agromyzidae)Related leaf-mining in the same that produce similar leaf mine patterns; differentiation requires examination of morphological characters such as and .
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was originally described by Roser in 1840. The Calycomyza was established by Hendel in 1931, with species transferred from related genera based on morphological characters including the arrangement of orbital and male structure.
Observation data
As of data compilation, iNaturalist hosted 119 research-grade observations of this , indicating it is moderately well-documented by citizen scientists, particularly in North America and Europe.