Abelmoschus is not recorded in Britain.

Elsewhere the polyphagous agromyzids Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza sativae and Liriomyza trifolii are recorded mining Abelmoschus.

Note: Diptera larvae may live in a corridor mine, a corridor-blotch mine, or a blotch mine, but never in a case, a rolled or folded leaf, a tentiform mine or sandwiched between two more or less circular leaf sections in later instars. Pupation never in a cocoon. All mining Diptera larvae are leg-less maggots without a head capsule (see examples). They never have thoracic or abdominal legs. They do not have chewing mouthparts, although they do have a characteristic cephalo-pharyngeal skeleton (see examples), usually visible internally through the body wall. The larvae lie on their sides within the mine and use their pick-like mouthparts to feed on plant tissue. In some corridor miners frass may lie in two rows on alternate sides of the mine. In order to vacate the mine the fully grown larva cuts an exit slit, which is usually semi-circular (see Liriomyza huidobrensis video). The pupa is formed within the hardened last larval skin or puparium and as a result sheaths enclosing head appendages, wings and legs are not visible externally (see examples).

1a > Leaf-miner: An irregular serpentine mine tending to be restricted by veins within segments of the leaf and undulating between upper and lower surface.

Corridor; usually the mine begins with a short upper-surface stretch, then continues lower-surface, in the sponge parenchyma. Often the mine follows the midrib or a thick lateral vein for long distances. Most mines are found in the basal half of the leaf. Frass in thread fragments and strings. Pupation outside the mine (Bladmineerders van Europa).

A highly polyphagous pest of ornamental and vegetable crops occasionally intercepted at UK points of entry. The species has been found under glass in England and Wales, but all populations have been and continue to be eradicated (Dom Collins, pers. comm.). Hosts cited here include 128 plant genera in 34 plant families.

Liriomyza huidobrensis is listed in the European Community Plant Health Directive (2000/29/EC). As a non-native notifiable pest species, its occurence in the United Kingdom should be notified immediately to the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (tel: +44 (0) 1904 462000, e-mail: info@fera.gsi.gov.uk ) However, in order to be certain of the identity, the male genitalia should be critically examined. Diagnostic protocols may be found at /protocols/liriomyza.pdf - See also Collins (1996).

Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard, 1926) [Diptera: Agromyzidae]

1b > Leaf-miner: An irregular serpentine mine, indistinguishable from mine of Liriomyza bryoniae.

Corridor, freely winding through the leaf. Frass in strings. Pupation outside the mine (Bladmineerders van Europa).

A highly polyphagous pest of ornamental and vegetable crops occasionally intercepted on produce at UK points of entry. It cannot survive cold areas except in glasshouses. Hosts cited here include 134 plant genera in 33 plant families worldwide

Liriomyza sativae is listed in the European Community Plant Health Directive (2000/29/EC). As a non-native notifiable pest species, its occurence in the United Kingdom should be notified immediately to the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (tel: +44 (0) 1904 462000, e-mail: info@fera.gsi.gov.uk ) However, in order to be certain of the identity, the male genitalia should be critically examined. Diagnostic protocols may be found at /protocols/liriomyza.pdf - See also Collins (1996).

Liriomyza sativae Blanchard, 1938 [Diptera: Agromyzidae]

A polyphagous pest of ornamental and vegetable crops occasionally intercepted at UK points of entry. Hosts cited here include 155 plant genera in 41 plant families worldwide

The species has been found under glass in England and Wales but all populations have been and continue to be eradicated (Dom Collins, pers. comm.).

However, in order to be certain of the identity, the male genitalia should be critically examined. Diagnostic protocols may be found at /protocols/liriomyza.pdf - See also Collins (1996).