Agromyzid Fly Leaf Mine - Phytomyza aralivora

Serpentine mines of an agromyzid fly. Inside the mine, you can see spots of black excrement.

comments (12)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

That's some impressive detective work! Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! It only took me a few minutes because I have this awesome book called "Tracks & Signs of Insects". It's over 500 pages of eggs, cocoons, leaf mines, galls, pupae, frass, cases, etc. Super book!
  
  Of course, my ID could be totally wrong, but I'm hoping it's correct! We'll see :)
  Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    That sounds interesting, do you have a title or link of the book? Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      It’s a North American guide though. The series is awesome, and I’m guessing there must be some similarities and overlap with European species. Or, maybe there are similar guides for Europe.
      
      https://www.amazon.com/Tracks-Sign-Insects-Other-Invertebrates/dp/0811736245/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531952377&sr=8-1&keywords=tracks+and+signs+of+insects Posted 7 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks so much. Looks like a good item to ask my family for my birthday or xmas, since I can't ever think of anything, and they insist on giving at least something :) Posted 7 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Yep, exactly. I am a bit of an identification field guide junkie. Every time I think my collection is complete, I find a new one... Posted 7 years ago
    3. ceiseman
      
      Green Fly
      
      I see that you're from the Netherlands. If you ever want to identify European leafminers, this is the place to go! https://bladmineerders.nl/
      (Incidentally, Phytomyza aralivora was also my impression of the above mine; if the plant is in fact Aralia nudicaulis, then that ID is correct.) Posted 6 years ago
    4. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks so much, I appreciate the confirmation! And, welcome to JungleDragon! Posted 6 years ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Hey, thanks! Both galls and miners are a new world to me, I've walked by them for years in full ignorance, but I'm looking to change that.
        
        I added that site to our identification guide, a list of helpful site we maintain:
        https://www.jungledragon.com/species/guide
        
        The site looks extensive. Frankly, I am looking at how to use it as a beginner, as it's not very visual, and opening up every species in existence in and endless list to try and find a match seems cumbersome. Perhaps I'm rushing to conclusions, but do you know if it has a visual or key-based system? Posted 6 years ago
      3. ceiseman
        
        Green Fly
        
        Yes, there are dichotomous keys to the leaf mines found on each genus of host plant. Click the "HOSTS" tab or just enter the plant name into the search box. The keys are entirely text-based, but most species are well illustrated when you click through to the species page. Posted 6 years ago
  3. Gary B
    
    Lion
    
    If the mine is in Aralia nudicaulis then most likely it was made by Phytomyza aralivora. Posted 6 years ago
  4. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Thanks, it was :) Posted 6 years ago