Phytomyza minuscula

This is a small grey/black fly whose larvae mine the leaves of several plants, but especially aquilegias.

Adult Leafmine

Often in gardens where aquilegias are grown.

Spring to autumn.

Larva forms short, irregular white linear mine, with frass in conspicuous black lines. Pupation external, normally adhering to the leaf near the end of the mine until dislodged by rain or wind.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.