Euleia fratria
(Loew, 1862)
Parsnip Leaf Miner
Euleia fratria is a leaf-mining tephritid fly native to North America, first described in 1862. are associated with multiple Apiaceae plants, including Angelica and Cicuta . The species is one of only two known leaf-mining tephritids in North America. Both sexes perform elaborate, repetitive . Laboratory studies indicate extended adult longevity exceeding 13 weeks.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Euleia fratria: //juˈleɪə ˈfrætriə//
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Habitat
Associated with moist where plants in the Apiaceae grow, including cow parsnip and related .
Distribution
Native to North America; recorded from Vermont and other United States locations.
Host Associations
- Angelica atropurpurea - larval reared from this plant
- Angelica hendersonii - larval reared from this plant
- Cicuta douglasii - larval reared from this plant
- Heracleum maximum - larval Cow parsnip; studied extensively in laboratory and field research
- Apiaceae - larval Numerous in this serve as
Life Cycle
are inserted into leaf parenchyma from the surface at leaf margins. Incubation lasts 6–8 days. Larvae mine leaves and complete development in 11–15 days under field conditions. occurs either within the plant or in soil. The pupal stage lasts 14–15 days for males and 16–17 days for females. longevity exceeds 13 weeks in laboratory conditions. Females have been observed to lay more than 210 eggs.
Behavior
of both sexes perform elaborate composed of unique, oft-repeated behavioral elements. Larvae make characteristic movements when seeking sites.
Ecological Role
; larvae feed internally in plant tissues. Serves as for four of across two .
Similar Taxa
- Euleia heracleiThe only other known leaf-mining tephritid in North America; distinguished by associations and geographic distribution
- Other TephritidaeMost tephritids are fruit feeders rather than leaf miners; E. fratria can be distinguished by its mining and Apiaceae associations