Liriomyza brassicae
(Riley, 1885)
Cabbage leafminer, Serpentine leaf miner
Liriomyza brassicae is a leaf-mining agromyzid fly whose larvae create serpentine mines within the leaves of plants. The is a documented pest of brassicaceous crops including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Chinese broccoli. It has been recorded from South Florida and other regions of the United States including Vermont, Hawaii, and the conterminous 48 states.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Liriomyza brassicae: /ˌlɪriˈɒmɪzə ˌbræsɪˈsiː/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Larvae create serpentine or blotch mines within leaf tissue, visible as pale trails between the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Specific diagnostic features for distinguishing from other Liriomyza require examination of genitalia and wing venation patterns.
Images
Habitat
Agricultural and natural environments where brassicaceous plants occur. Larval is internal, within the mesophyll tissue of leaves.
Distribution
South Florida; United States (Vermont, Hawaii, conterminous 48 states). Distribution records indicate presence across multiple regions of the United States.
Diet
Phytophagous; larvae feed on leaf mesophyll tissue of plants, creating internal mines.
Host Associations
- Brassica oleracea - cabbage
- Brassica rapa - turnip
- Raphanus sativus - radish
- other Brassicaceae - wild and cultivated brassicaceous plants
Life Cycle
Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Larvae develop within leaf mines. Specific duration of developmental stages not documented in available sources.
Behavior
Larvae exhibit leaf-mining , feeding exclusively within internal leaf tissue and creating characteristic serpentine or blotch mines that impair .
Ecological Role
Herbivore; agricultural pest causing damage to brassicaceous crops through leaf mining activity. Associated have been recorded in South Florida, indicating presence of natural enemies.
Human Relevance
Agricultural pest of brassicaceous vegetables including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and related crops. Economic impact through reduced photosynthetic capacity of infested plants.
Similar Taxa
- Liriomyza huidobrensisBoth are leaf-mining agromyzid pests of agricultural crops; L. huidobrensis () feeds on peas, beans, potatoes, and spinach rather than Brassicaceae, and is limited by high temperatures above 28-29°C
- Liriomyza sativaeBoth are leaf-mining agromyzid pests; L. sativae (vegetable leafminer) has a broader range and is limited by low temperatures and competition with L. huidobrensis, whereas L. brassicae is specifically associated with Brassicaceae
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Bohart Museum Receives Collection of More than 50,000 Aculeate Wasp Specimens | Bug Squad
- Primary Type List | Entomology Research Museum
- Predicting Shifts in the Range of Invasive Insect Species in the Face of Climate Change
- New Insect Cell Line Database to Help Researchers Across the Globe
- IMA Fungus publishes its first issue with Pensoft
- Engaging Communities in Aberdeen B-Lines - Buglife Blog - Buglife
- Biology of a leaf minerLiriomyza brassicae(Riley) (Diptera : Agromyzidae)
- Host Plants of Liriomyza brassicae, with Records of Their Parasites from South Florida (Diptera: Agromyzidae)