Leaf mine of Liriomyza smilacinae larva

Leaf mine of Liriomyza smilacinae larva in the leaf of Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense). Liriomyza smilacinae is a species of fly whose larvae mine leaves of Maianthemum species.

comments (12)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Thanks, Gary! You're putting this family on the map:
https://www.jungledragon.com/wildlife/browse/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/diptera/agromyzidae Posted 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  I'm sure I'll be finding more this summer. These have always fascinated me. Posted 6 years ago

ceiseman

Green Fly

This ID is probably correct, but there is another Liriomyza species that makes seemingly identical mines. So far I have only reared a female of the other species, and a male would be needed to identify it (or describe it, if it turns out to be a new species). Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  You don't mean L. wachtli? Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. ceiseman
    
    Green Fly
    
    That species is only recorded from Veratrum and Zigadenus as far as I know--what led you to suggest L. wachtli? Posted 6 years ago, modified 6 years ago
  2. 1. Gary B
      
      Lion
      
      I saw a mention of that species on a Google books page (331) for Host Specialization in the World Agromyzidae (Diptera) by K.A. Spencer. It was speculated that L. wachtli, which is found on the west side of the Bering Strait and L. smilacinae which is from North America probably share a recent common ancestor as there is almost no difference in the structure of the male genitalia. I see now after looking back a few paragraphs that Veratrum and Zigadenus are listed as hosts for L. wachtli. Google's sample of the book is a bit limited so I can't see everything in it about this genus. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. ceiseman
        
        Green Fly
        
        Ah, I see. FYI, L. wachtli was documented in Alberta by Lonsdale (2017). I've found mines on Zigadenus in Colorado that were consistent with that species... as well as Liriomyza mines on Veratrum in Massachusetts, but I think those might be from another species (different frass pattern). Posted 6 years ago
      2. Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        Neither of those plant genera grows here in MN but we do have an assortment of Maianthemum/Smilacina species. What other Liriomyza might feed on plants in Maianthemum/Smilacina and be possible in the Upper Midwest? Posted 6 years ago
        
        ceiseman
        
        Green Fly
        
        I don't know--the unidentifiable female I mentioned came from Massachusetts, but the range of that species could well extend to the Midwest. We won't have a definite answer as to the identity of that species until someone manages to rear a male that matches the female. Until then, it's reasonable to identify this as L. smilacinae; I just wanted to point out that there is more to learn about Maianthemum miners. The host plants are only known for about half of the 800+ described North American agromyzid species, and new species are being discovered all the time. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        800 species is a lot. Where can I go to find out about species known so far from the upper midwest? Posted 6 years ago
        
        ceiseman
        
        Green Fly
        
        I've created a guide to all the known leafminers in America north of Mexico: http://charleyeiseman.com/leafminers/
        I'm not aware of any regional guides, and I would caution against them if they did exist--I fairly regularly find, for example, species in Massachusetts that were previously known only from Alberta. Checking out what is known from a given host genus is a better way to go. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks! I've bookmarked your page, too. Posted 6 years ago