Phytomyza ranunculi

A leaf mining fly whose larvae mine the leaves of various members of the Buttercup family. In this species the grains of frass are closely adjoining or grouped. Identification is more difficult when the mine is in the stem.

See the National Agromyzidae Recording Scheme webpage for this species for further details of puparium and adult insect.

Mines are similar to those of Phytomyza ranunculivora, but in that species the grains of frass are well spread out and separate.

ref.: Warrington, B.P. (2023).  Phytomyza ranunculi. Accessed at https://agromyzidae.co.uk/species/agromyzidae/phytomyzinae/phytomyza/ph… on 13/12/2023)

Leafmine Adult

Leafmine: Please provide back-lit image to show the frass pattern and also add a note of the host plant.

Host plants: Buttercup species.

Click on the 'further details' link in the 'Description' section above.  Then click on the Phenology tab which will provide phenology details for both adult and larval stages.

The leafmines of this species can be found in most months of the year.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Warrington, B. P. 2022. A provisional review of the status of Agromyzidae in Great Britain & Northern Ireland

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.