Phytomyza tiarellae
Griffiths, 1972
Phytomyza tiarellae is a of leaf-mining fly in the Agromyzidae, described by Griffiths in 1972. It belongs to a of flies whose larvae feed within plant tissues, creating distinctive mines in leaves. The specific epithet suggests an association with plants in the genus Tiarella. As a member of the Agromyzidae, it shares the family's characteristic larval habit of feeding between leaf epidermal layers.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phytomyza tiarellae: /faɪtoʊˈmaɪzə tiˈærləi/
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Images
Host Associations
- Tiarella - probable plantInferred from specific epithet 'tiarellae'; requires confirmation
Similar Taxa
- Phytomyza ilicicolaBoth are Phytomyza associated with woodland plants; P. ilicicola is well-documented on American holly (Ilex opaca) with serpentine leaf mines, while P. tiarellae appears associated with foamflower (Tiarella)
More Details
Taxonomic note
The specific epithet 'tiarellae' indicates this was described from or named after its association with Tiarella, a of woodland perennials in the Saxifragaceae commonly known as foamflower. This distinguishes it from like P. ilicicola (holly leafminer) and P. columbinae (columbine leafminer) which have documented associations with different plant genera.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- Catalogue of Life
- The Holly and Ivy - A two part series: This week the holly and the native holly leaf miner, Phytomyza ilicicola — Bug of the Week
- Deck the halls with boughs of holly…and the Native holly leafminer, 'Phytomyza ilicicola', and Holly berry midge, 'Asphondylia ilicicola' — Bug of the Week
- Holly surprise: Native holly leafminer, Phytomyza ilicicola — Bug of the Week
- Holiday miners - Native holly leafminer, Phytomyza ilicicola — Bug of the Week
- Deck the halls with boughs of holly - and maybe some leaves with the native holly leafminer, Phytomyza ilicicola — Bug of the Week
- The Holly and Ivy: A two part series - This week the holly and holly leaf miner - Phytomyza ilicicola — Bug of the Week