Diptera.info

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 13-09-2007 20:47

Hi

Today I spotted in some leaves of Citrus lemon signs of larva.. as you can see the gallery that larva created on leaf. It has a very high reflective material as well. That?s why the leaf seems to be shining...
This larva was hidden below a small "sphere" of silk. It is small measuring about 3 mm.

Do you agree?

Posted by Kahis on 13-09-2007 21:02

It doesn't really look like a fly larva. Perhaps Coleoptera instead?

Posted by Tony Irwin on 13-09-2007 21:12

I think this is more likely to be the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae). Agromyzidae hardly ever attack tree leaves - almost all mines in tree leaves are made by moths. The moth larvae are specialised miners, and lack most of the features that distinguish normal caterpillars.

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 13-09-2007 21:18

thanks Kahis and Tony. I've just started to look larvas as well. I know identify some but not all as you see.

Posted by Paul Beuk on 14-09-2007 08:51

The frass in the mine is in a single line which rules out Agromyzidae, who leave thir frass in alternate lines to the left and to the right of the mine (as long as it is a corridor mine).

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-09-2007 10:40

like this one, Paul?
http://www.inra.f...032124.jpg

Edited by jorgemotalmeida on 14-09-2007 10:41

Posted by Kahis on 14-09-2007 10:51

Paul Beuk wrote:
The frass in the mine is in a single line which rules out Agromyzidae, who leave thir frass in alternate lines to the left and to the right of the mine (as long as it is a corridor mine).

Well, that is only a guideline, not a hard rule

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-09-2007 11:06

i saw photos of possible larva agromyzid with a single line...
http://www.inra.f...032122.jpg

Agromyzidae gallery made by their larva, right?

Posted by Tony Irwin on 14-09-2007 18:34

#10

There is an excellent site covering western european leafminers, including Agromyzidae at
http://www.bladmi...
I'll submit it as a link, but Paul will need to decide which category to put it under.
The site is (nearly) bilingual in Dutch and English, and is very well illustrated with photos of mines. There is a host plant and insect index, and keys to mines.

Edited by Tony Irwin on 14-09-2007 18:39

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-09-2007 18:59

#11

fabulous site! I read right now and it is very, very interesting. Now I know who are the guilties on leaves.

For some cases, of course.

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 14-09-2007 21:24

#13

thanks. This links shows one thing that surprised me. I didn't expect that Anthomyiidae larva could be leafminers! I thought this family is only associated with dung , which is not entirely true!
This is the kind of things that I like in Diptera. The fascinating and amazing niches thar they can have in Nature.