Agromyzidae
Guides
Japanagromyza aequalis
Japanagromyza aequalis is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1966. As a member of the genus Japanagromyza, it belongs to a group of flies whose larvae typically create mines within the leaves of host plants. The species name 'aequalis' suggests some aspect of equal or uniform characteristics, though the specific morphological basis for this epithet is not documented in the provided sources. Very little detailed biological information is available for this particular species in the accessible literature.
Japanagromyza inaequalis
Japanagromyza inaequalis is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Malloch in 1914. The genus Japanagromyza comprises small flies whose larvae typically create mines within plant tissues. This species has been recorded from Brazil (Pará state), though detailed biological information remains sparse in published literature.
Japanagromyza viridula
Oak Shothole Leafminer
Japanagromyza viridula is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, commonly known as the oak shothole leafminer. The species is native to North America and has been recorded from Canada and the United States. As a leaf miner, its larvae feed internally within oak leaves, creating distinctive feeding patterns. The species was originally described as Agromyza viridula by Coquillett in 1902 and later transferred to the genus Japanagromyza.
Liriomyza
Liriomyza leaf-mining flies
Liriomyza is a genus of leaf-mining flies in the family Agromyzidae comprising at least 410 described species. The genus is distributed worldwide with particularly notable diversity in the Neotropical region. Larvae feed internally within plant leaves, creating distinctive serpentine or blotch mines that impair photosynthesis. Several species are significant agricultural pests, including the pea leafminer (L. huidobrensis) and vegetable leafminer (L. sativae), which have become invasive in multiple continents. The genus exhibits considerable variation in host plant specificity, with some species highly polyphagous and others restricted to particular plant families.
Liriomyza archboldi
Liriomyza archboldi is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Frost in 1962. The genus Liriomyza includes numerous leafminer species, some of which are significant agricultural pests. However, specific biological and ecological information for L. archboldi is not well documented in the available literature. The species is distinguished from congeners by morphological features typical of the genus.
Liriomyza arctii
Burdock Leafminer
A small leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. The species is known by the common name Burdock Leafminer and has been recorded from Vermont and other parts of the United States. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, it is presumed to feed on plant tissues as larvae, creating characteristic mines within leaves.
Liriomyza asclepiadis
Liriomyza asclepiadis is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. As a member of the genus Liriomyza, it belongs to a group of flies whose larvae create characteristic feeding tunnels (mines) within leaf tissue. The species epithet "asclepiadis" suggests an association with plants in the family Apocynaceae (milkweeds), though specific host records remain limited. It is known from northeastern North America.
Liriomyza avicenniae
Liriomyza avicenniae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described from material associated with Avicennia (mangrove) hosts. The species epithet reflects this host association. As with other Liriomyza species, the larvae likely produce serpentine or blotch mines within leaf tissue. The species was described in 2002 and appears to have a restricted distribution tied to mangrove ecosystems.
Liriomyza baptisiae
Liriomyza baptisiae is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Frost in 1931. It is native to the United States. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, the larvae likely feed within leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. The specific epithet "baptisiae" suggests a possible association with plants in the genus Baptisia (Fabaceae), though this host relationship requires confirmation.
Liriomyza blechi
Liriomyza blechi is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Spencer in 1973. The species belongs to a group of 27 closely related taxa primarily distributed in the Neotropics, with some extending into temperate North and South America. It is a polyphagous pest known from diverse host plants including maize, various grasses, and dicots in the order Lamiales. Larvae create whitish linear mines in leaves, reducing photosynthetic capacity. The species has been recorded from the United States, Caribbean islands, and Brazil, with expanding documentation of its agricultural impact.
Liriomyza brassicae
Cabbage leafminer, Serpentine leaf miner
Liriomyza brassicae is a leaf-mining agromyzid fly whose larvae create serpentine mines within the leaves of host plants. The species 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.
Liriomyza carphephori
Liriomyza carphephori is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman, Lonsdale & Feldman in 2019. As a member of the genus Liriomyza, it belongs to a group known for larvae that tunnel between leaf surfaces, creating distinctive mines. The species was described relatively recently and specific details about its biology remain limited.
Liriomyza commelinae
Liriomyza commelinae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Frost in 1931. The species is associated with Commelina plants (dayflowers) and has been studied primarily for its role in supporting parasitoid populations that also attack the economically important pest Liriomyza huidobrensis. Research indicates it experiences high mortality rates (over 96%) from parasitoids, predatory ants, and competition-related factors. Its distribution includes Florida, the broader Neotropical region, and parts of Brazil.
Liriomyza cracentis
Liriomyza cracentis is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Lonsdale in 2017. The genus Liriomyza contains numerous economically important leafminer species that damage agricultural crops by creating tunnels in leaf tissue. As a relatively recently described species, detailed biological information for L. cracentis remains limited. The species has been recorded from Vermont, United States.
Liriomyza eupatoriella
Liriomyza eupatoriella is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1986. The larva creates serpentine or blotch mines within the leaves of host plants. It is specifically associated with Eupatorium species (bonesets) and related genera including white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima). The species has been documented through 220 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is moderately well-recorded but not extensively studied in the scientific literature.
Liriomyza eupatorii
Liriomyza eupatorii is a leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Johann Heinrich Kaltenbach in 1874. The species occurs in Europe and is known for its larvae creating mines in leaves of plants in the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families. Host plants include hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), various hemp-nettles (Galeopsis species), sunflowers (Helianthus), and European goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), among others.
Liriomyza euphorbiella
Liriomyza euphorbiella is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman and Lonsdale in 2019. The specific epithet suggests an association with plants in the genus Euphorbia. As a member of the genus Liriomyza, it belongs to a group of flies whose larvae create distinctive mines within leaf tissue. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in taxonomic databases.
Liriomyza fricki
Liriomyza fricki is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1965. It is a member of a genus containing numerous economically significant agricultural pests, though specific information about this particular species is limited. The species is recorded from the United States, with distribution records from Vermont. Like other Liriomyza species, it likely has a life cycle involving larval mining of leaf tissue, but species-specific biological details have not been documented in available sources.
Liriomyza galiivora
Liriomyza galiivora is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. As a member of the genus Liriomyza, it shares the characteristic larval behavior of mining within leaf tissue between the upper and lower epidermis. The specific epithet "galiivora" suggests an association with Galium (bedstraw) as a host plant, though detailed biological studies remain limited. The species has been recorded in Sweden and Vermont, USA, indicating a Holarctic distribution pattern.
Liriomyza garryae
Liriomyza garryae is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman and Lonsdale in 2019. The species epithet 'garryae' suggests an association with plants of the genus Garrya. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, this species likely produces larvae that feed within leaf tissue, creating distinctive mines. The species is currently known from limited records, with 9 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Liriomyza helianthi
Liriomyza helianthi is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1981. The species is a specialist herbivore whose larvae feed internally on leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. Research has demonstrated strong female oviposition preference for its normal host Helianthus annuus (sunflower) compared to novel host plants, with larval performance generally correlating with this preference pattern. The species has potential significance as a pest of cultivated sunflower and related Asteraceae crops.
Liriomyza hypopolymnia
Liriomyza hypopolymnia is a leafminer fly species in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman and Lonsdale in 2021. It belongs to a genus containing numerous economically important leafminer pests, though specific information about this particular species remains limited. The genus Liriomyza is characterized by larvae that feed between leaf surfaces, creating visible mines that impair plant photosynthesis.
Liriomyza ivorcutleri
Liriomyza ivorcutleri is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman and Lonsdale in 2018. The species is part of the diverse Liriomyza genus, which includes numerous leafmining species, many of which are significant agricultural pests. Like other members of its genus, L. ivorcutleri likely has larvae that feed internally within leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. The specific epithet honors Ivor Cutler.
Liriomyza langei
leafminer
Liriomyza langei is a leafminer fly species in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Frick in 1951. The species is known as a significant agricultural pest, particularly of chrysanthemum and spinach crops. Larvae feed internally within leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines that reduce photosynthetic capacity and crop quality. The species has been the subject of biological control studies using the parasitoid wasp Diglyphus isaea, as well as genetic research on host plant resistance in spinach.
Liriomyza lathyri
Liriomyza lathyri is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Sehgal in 1971. It belongs to a genus containing numerous economically important agricultural pests, though specific information about this particular species remains sparse. The species name suggests an association with Lathyrus (pea/vetch plants), but direct host records have not been documented in the available literature. Like other Liriomyza species, it likely has a holometabolous life cycle with larval stages that feed internally in leaf tissue.
Liriomyza limopsis
Liriomyza limopsis is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Lonsdale in 2017. It belongs to a genus containing numerous economically important agricultural pests, though specific information about this particular species remains limited. The species name suggests a possible association with lake or pond margins (from Greek 'limne' meaning lake and 'opsis' meaning appearance or sight). Like other Liriomyza species, it likely has a larval stage that mines within leaf tissue.
Liriomyza marginalis
Liriomyza marginalis is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Malloch in 1913. It has been recorded in the United States, West Indies, Brazil, and Mexico. A 2021 study documented it as a new record associated with maize crops in Mexico, marking the first known agricultural association for this species. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, the larvae likely feed within leaf tissue, though specific morphological and behavioral details remain poorly documented.
Liriomyza nigriscutellata
Liriomyza nigriscutellata is a species of leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1981. The species is known only from California based on available records. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, it is presumed to have larvae that feed within leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines, though specific host plants and detailed biology remain undocumented.
Liriomyza orilliensis
Liriomyza orilliensis is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. The species is known from the northeastern United States, with distribution records from Vermont. As a member of the genus Liriomyza, it likely exhibits the characteristic leaf-mining larval behavior typical of this economically important group, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Liriomyza philadelphivora
Liriomyza philadelphivora is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. The specific epithet "philadelphivora" indicates an association with mock orange (Philadelphus) as a host plant. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, this species produces larvae that feed internally within leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. The species has been recorded from Vermont and other parts of the United States.
Liriomyza pilicornis
Liriomyza pilicornis is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Lonsdale in 2017. It belongs to a genus containing numerous economically significant leafminer species, though specific information about this particular species remains limited. The genus Liriomyza is characterized by larvae that feed internally within leaf tissue, creating distinctive mines between the upper and lower leaf surfaces.
Liriomyza pistilla
Liriomyza pistilla is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Lonsdale in 2017. The genus Liriomyza includes numerous economically important leafminer species whose larvae feed internally within leaf tissue, creating distinctive serpentine or blotch mines. As a recently described species, detailed biological information for L. pistilla remains limited. The species is known from specimen records in entomological collections, including the Entomology Research Museum at the University of California, Riverside.
Liriomyza polygalivora
Liriomyza polygalivora is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described in 2019. The specific epithet "polygalivora" indicates its association with host plants in the genus Polygala. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, it is likely a phytophagous species whose larvae create mines within leaf tissue.
Liriomyza ptarmicae
Liriomyza ptarmicae is a species of leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Meijere in 1925. The species is known from the Palaearctic region and the United States, with confirmed records from Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) and Vermont, USA. Like other members of the genus, the larvae likely feed internally on leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. The specific epithet 'ptarmicae' suggests an association with Achillea ptarmica (sneezewort yarrow), though this host relationship requires confirmation.
Liriomyza sabaziae
Liriomyza sabaziae is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1963. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, it is likely a leafminer whose larvae feed between the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, creating characteristic mines. The specific epithet "sabaziae" suggests an association with plants in the genus Sabazia (Asteraceae). Very little published information exists on this species, and its biology, host range, and distribution remain poorly documented.
Liriomyza schmidti
Liriomyza schmidti is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Aldrich in 1929. It is known from Florida, the West Indies, and Costa Rica. As a member of the genus Liriomyza, it is presumed to be a leaf miner, though specific details of its biology are poorly documented in accessible literature.
Liriomyza septentrionalis
Liriomyza septentrionalis is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Sehgal in 1968. The species is known from western North America, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, California, and Colorado. As a member of the genus Liriomyza, it is presumed to have leaf-mining larvae, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Liriomyza trifoliearum
Liriomyza trifoliearum is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1973. It belongs to a genus containing numerous economically significant agricultural pests, though this particular species is less documented than congeners such as L. trifolii and L. huidobrensis. The species is known from the United States.
Liriomyza triodanidis
Liriomyza triodanidis is a leaf-mining fly species in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman, Lonsdale & Feldman in 2019. The specific epithet "triodanidis" derives from the genus Triodanis, indicating an association with plants in this genus. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, this species likely produces larvae that feed internally within leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. The species was described relatively recently, and detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.
Liriomyza valerianivora
Liriomyza valerianivora is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman and Lonsdale in 2018. The specific epithet 'valerianivora' indicates an association with Valeriana host plants. Like other Liriomyza species, it is likely a specialist leafminer whose larvae feed internally on leaf tissue. The species is part of a large genus containing numerous agricultural pests, though detailed biological information for this particular species remains limited.
Liriomyza venegasiae
Liriomyza venegasiae is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1981. The species is known from California, USA, and is one of numerous Liriomyza species that create feeding tunnels (mines) within leaf tissue. Like other members of the genus, the larvae are internal feeders that mine between the upper and lower epidermis of leaves.
Liriomyza violivora
Liriomyza violivora is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, originally described by Spencer in 1986 under the genus Galiomyza before being transferred to Liriomyza. As a member of this genus, it is a small dipteran whose larvae create mines within leaf tissue. The species has been documented in the northeastern United States, specifically Vermont.
Liriomyza zinniae
Liriomyza zinniae is a species of leafminer fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1981. The specific epithet 'zinniae' indicates an association with Zinnia host plants. Like other members of the genus Liriomyza, the larvae are leafminers that feed internally within leaf tissue. The species is part of a large genus containing numerous agricultural pests, though specific information about L. zinniae's economic impact appears limited in published literature.
Melanagromyza
Melanagromyza is a genus of leaf-miner flies in the family Agromyzidae, established by Hendel in 1920. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution and contains numerous species, many of which are significant agricultural pests. Several species, particularly Melanagromyza sojae (soybean stem fly) and Melanagromyza obtusa (pigeon pea fly), cause substantial economic damage to legume crops through larval mining of stems, roots, and petioles. The genus has been the focus of biological control research, with multiple parasitoid wasp species identified as potential natural enemies.
Melanagromyza hieracii
Melanagromyza hieracii is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman & Lonsdale in 2021. The species is part of a genus containing numerous species associated with herbaceous plants, particularly in the Asteraceae family. As a recently described taxon, detailed biological information remains limited. The specific epithet 'hieracii' suggests an association with Hieracium (hawkweeds), a pattern consistent with related species in the genus.
Melanagromyza martini
Melanagromyza martini is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. The genus Melanagromyza comprises flies whose larvae feed internally within plant tissues, typically creating mines in stems or leaves. No specific host plants or detailed biology have been documented for this particular species.
Melanagromyza minimoides
Melanagromyza minimoides is a species of leaf-miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1966. The genus Melanagromyza comprises numerous species, many of which are significant agricultural pests whose larvae feed internally within plant stems, seeds, or other tissues. Distribution records indicate this species occurs in Brazil, specifically in the states of Pará and São Paulo. Like congeners, it likely exhibits endophytic larval development, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Melanagromyza undescribed-blephilia-stem-borer
An undescribed species in the genus Melanagromyza, a group of stem-boring flies in the family Agromyzidae. The informal name indicates this species develops as a stem borer in plants of the genus Blephilia, a group of mint-family herbs native to North America. As an undescribed species, it lacks formal scientific description and has not been assigned a species epithet. The genus Melanagromyza contains numerous economically significant agricultural pests, though this particular species appears to be associated with wild host plants rather than cultivated crops.
Nemorimyza
Nemorimyza is a genus of leaf-mining flies in the family Agromyzidae, established by Frey in 1946. The genus contains at least three described species distributed across multiple continents. Some species are documented as pests of cultivated plants, particularly within the Asteraceae family. The genus belongs to the subfamily Phytomyzinae, a group characterized by larval feeding habits that create distinctive mines in leaf tissue.
Ophiomyia
Ophiomyia is a genus of leaf-mining flies in the family Agromyzidae, established by Brazhnikov in 1897. The genus contains over 200 described species distributed worldwide, with particularly significant agricultural impact in tropical and subtropical regions. Several species, notably O. phaseoli, O. spencerella, and O. centrosematis, are major pests of leguminous crops, with larvae feeding internally in stems and leaves. The genus exhibits diverse host associations across multiple plant families, though many species show specialization on particular host genera.