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ANCHUSA. Bugloss, Anchusa and Alkanets. [Boraginaceae]

Nine species of Anchusa are recorded in Britain. They include the native Bugloss (A. arvensis) and the introduced Garden Anchusa (A. azurea), Yellow Alkanet (A. ochroleuca) and Alkanet (A. officinalis). Only one Diptera miner, the agromyzid Agromyza abiens, is recorded on Anchusa in Britain and this is also recorded on Borago, Cynoglossum, Echium, Myosotis, Pentaglottis, Pulmonaria, and Symphytum in Britain. Elsewhere the Boraginaceae-feeding agromyzids Agromyza abiens and Agromyza myosotidis are recorded mining Anchusa. No non-Diptera miners are recorded on Anchusa in Britain. Elsewhere one British non-Diptera miner, Coleophora pennella is recorded on Anchusa (see below). A key to the European miners, based on characteristics of the mines, immature stages and where relevant the larval cases, recorded on Anchusa is provided in Bladmineerders van Europa. This includes Coleophora pennella, Chromatomyia horticola, Agromyza abiens, Dialectica scalariella, Cnephasia asseclana, Cynaeda dentalis and Epascestria pustulalis but not Agromyza myosotidis N.B. The key to mines below includes mines recorded on Anchusa, Borago, Cynoglossum, Echium and Pulmonaria (Boraginaceae).

Key for the identification of the known Diptera mines on Anchusa, Borago, Cynoglossum, Echium and Pulmonaria in Great Britain and Ireland

1> A narrow linear leaf mine, which developes into a large blotch. Several larvae frequently feed together and the resulting mine can entirely fill the leaf. Puparium reddish brown Mine of Agromyza abiens on Symphytum officinale. Image: Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders van Europa) On numerous genera of Boraginaceae in Britain and elsewhere. Widespread in Britain. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Common and widespread throughout most of Europe. Agromyza abiens Zetterstedt [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

British non-Diptera miners recorded on Anchusa elsewhere Coleophora pennella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) [Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae]   Leaf-miner and case-bearer: The larva feeds in a distinctive case made from hairy leaf fragments of the foodplant (UKMoths). The young larva feeds on the developing seeds and hibernates in its first case which is made of the tip of a petal. After hibernation it makes a hoary, laterally flattened composite leaf case (resembling a willow catkin). Full depth mines are made at the margin of the leaves, that thereby look peculiarly damaged. Mouth angle 70° (Bladmineerders van Europa). More..

Last updated 12-Aug-2010  Brian Pitkin

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