Agromyzid
Guides
Amauromyza pleuralis
Amauromyza pleuralis is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. It is native to North America and has been recorded in the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with herbaceous host plants, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented. The species was described by Malloch in 1914 based on specimens from Vermont.
Hemiptarsenus
Hemiptarsenus is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae. Species in this genus are primarily known as larval parasitoids of leaf-mining flies (Diptera: Agromyzidae), with some species also attacking Lepidopteran hosts. The genus has been studied extensively for its potential in biological control of agricultural pests, particularly leafminers affecting vegetable crops. Multiple species have been described from Asia, with new species continuing to be discovered in China.
Liriomyza sativae
vegetable leaf miner, vegetable leafminer
Liriomyza sativae, the vegetable leafminer, is a polyphagous leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. Native to the Neotropics, it has become a widespread invasive pest of vegetable crops globally. Larvae feed internally on leaf mesophyll, creating characteristic serpentine mines that reduce photosynthetic capacity. The species is notable for its broad host range spanning multiple plant families, rapid generation time, and competitive interactions with congeners mediated by temperature.
Melanagromyza arnoglossi
Melanagromyza arnoglossi is a species of leaf-miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman and Lonsdale in 2021. The species belongs to a genus known for larvae that mine plant tissues, particularly in leguminous hosts. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited. The specific epithet references the host plant genus Arnoglossum.
Neochrysocharis
Neochrysocharis is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae. Species in this genus are endoparasitoids of leafmining insects, particularly agromyzid flies. Some species exhibit host-feeding behavior and possess both thelytokous (asexual) and arrhenotokous (sexual) reproductive strains. Multiple species have been evaluated as biological control agents for invasive leafminer pests in agricultural systems.
Ophiomyia beckeri
Ophiomyia beckeri is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Hendel in 1923. The genus Ophiomyia is characterized by species that create internal mines in plant tissues, typically in stems or leaves. This species has been recorded from parts of Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, as well as Madeira Island. The 26 iNaturalist observations suggest it is documented but not frequently encountered.
Ophiomyia new-species-on-symphyotrichum
Ophiomyia vockerothi
A small leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1986. Like other members of Ophiomyia, the larvae likely feed internally within plant tissues, creating distinctive mines. The species is named in honor of Canadian entomologist John R. Vockeroth.
Phytomyza pastinacae
Phytomyza pastinacae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species develops as a larva within the leaves of plants in the Apiaceae family, creating internal feeding galleries. It has been recorded across Europe, North America, and the Caucasus region.
Phytomyza pedicularicaulis
A species of agromyzid leaf-mining fly described by Spencer in 1969. Belongs to the genus Phytomyza, a diverse group of flies whose larvae feed within living plant tissue, creating distinctive mines in leaves. The specific epithet "pedicularicaulis" suggests an association with plants in the genus Pedicularis (louseworts), though this host relationship has not been verified in the available sources.
Phytomyza persicae
Phytomyza persicae is a species of leaf-miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Frick in 1954. As a member of the genus Phytomyza, it likely produces characteristic serpentine or blotch mines in host plant leaves during larval development. The species epithet 'persicae' suggests an association with Prunus persica (peach) or related plants, though specific host records require verification. Like other agromyzid leafminers, adults are small flies that oviposit into leaf tissue and larvae feed internally between leaf surfaces.
Phytomyza plantaginis
Plantain leafminer
Phytomyza plantaginis is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. It is notable as the second documented case of parthenogenetic reproduction (thelytoky) in its family. Populations in Australia exhibit variation in sex ratio, with some areas having only females and others maintaining bisexual populations with female-biased ratios. The species is associated with Plantago host plants.
Phytomyza verbenae
Phytomyza verbenae is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman and Lonsdale in 2018. The genus Phytomyza comprises numerous leaf-mining species whose larvae feed internally within plant leaves, creating distinctive serpentine mines. This species is associated with verbena plants (Verbenaceae) based on its specific epithet, though detailed biological studies remain limited. Like congeners, it likely completes its development within leaf tissue, with adults emerging to coincide with host plant phenology.