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Ophiomyia simplex (Loew, 1869) [Diptera: Agromyzidae]. Asparagus miner. Agromyza simplex Loew. 1869a. Berl. ent. Z. 13: 46. Agromyza simplex Loew. 1869a; Hendel, 1920. Fliegen palaearkt. Reg. 6(2): 128. Ophiomyia simplex Loew. 1869a; Spencer, 1966. Beitr. Ent. 16: 55. Ophiomyia simplex (Loew, 1869a); Spencer, 1972. Handbk ident. Br. Ins. 10(5g): 10, 11, 20, 22, 125. Ophiomyia simplex (Loew, 1869a); Spencer, 1976. Fauna ent. Scand. 5(1): 77-8, figs 103-6. Ophiomyia simplex (Loew, 1869a); Spencer, 1990. Host specialization in the World Agromyzidae (Diptera) : 325, 326 (figs 1136-7), 335.

Stem-mine: Oviposition normally takes place near the base of the stem. Larva forming external stem-mine, feeding first upwards for as much as 30 cm, then turning and continuing downwards. A number of larvae may feed in a single stem and young plants may turn yellow and die. Pupation immediately beneath the epidermis (Spencer, 1976: 78). Oviposition in the rind of the stem, just above the ground. A corridor from there runs upwards for about 30 cm, then reverts and descends to about ground level. Pupation in the mine, just below the epidermis. Usually several mines on one plant; the plant can effectively be ringed and be killed (Bladmineerders van Europa). Larva: The larva is described by Dempewolf (2001: 79). Puparium: Pale or darker brown; posterior spiracles each having about 16 bulbs (Spencer, 1976: 78). Comments: Recently simplex has been treated as a species of Hexomyza. It is a pest of Asparagus. Hosts in Britain: Liliaceae       Asparagus     Robbins, 1991: 127 Asparagus officinalis Asparagus Barnes, 1937 Asparagus officinalis Asparagus Spencer, 1972: 125 Hosts elsewhere: Liliaceae       Asparagus     Spencer, 1990: 335 Asparagus officinalis Asparagus Spencer, 1976: 77 Asparagus officinalis Asparagus Dempewolf, 2001: 79 Asparagus officinalis Asparagus Bladmineerders van Europa Time of year - mines: June-August (Hering, 1957). Time of year - adults: Unknown. Distribution in Great Britain & Ireland: Occuring wherever the host plant is regularly cultivated. Oxford (Oxford), Lancaster (Formby), Kent (Godmersham), Surrey (Wisley), Dorset (Chickerell), Herts (Harpenden), Worcester (Evesham) and Suffolk (Newmarket) (Spencer, 1972: 22). NBN Grid map: No map. Distribution elsewhere: Holarctic. Europe (Spencer, 1976: 77) including Germany (Dempewolf, 2001: 79), Denmark, French mainland, Hungary, Italian mainland and Poland (Martinez in Fauna Europaea). Also recorded in the U.S.A. and eastern Canada (Spencer, 1976: 77). NBN interactive distribution maps of known host species in Britain and elsewhere: Asparagus officinalis Parasitoids in Britain and elsewhere:. Pediobius epigonus (Walker, 1839) Hymenoptera: Eulophidae

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Last updated 18-Jul-2010  Brian Pitkin