Phytomyza fallaciosa

Description

The larvae of the fly Phytomyza fallaciosa mine the leaves of various members of the Buttercup family (Ranunculus). A brown blotch is eventually formed, without green patches. Primary and secondary feeding lines are generally clear. Pupation occurs within the mine.

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

Similar Species

Phytomyza notata / Phytomyza ranunculicola / Phytomyza rydeni

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

Identification difficulty

Leafmine   Adult

Recording advice

Adult: Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Leafmine: Please provide a back-lit image of the leafmine and state the host plant.  Include images of the larva or pupa, if present.

Habitat

Wherever the larval foodplants occur.

When to see it

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.

Leafmines may be found between September and November.

UK Status

In Britain this species is classed as Nationally Scarce B.

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

VC55 Status

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Flies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Agromyzidae
Records on NatureSpot:
3
First record:
05/10/2019 (Timms, Sue)
Last record:
03/11/2023 (Graves, Hazel)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

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Latest records