Brachypodium [Poaceae]

BRACHYPODIUM. Bromes and Tor-grass. [Poaceae]

Three native species of Brachypodium are recorded in Britain - Stiff Brome (B. distachyon), Perennial Tor-grass (B. pinnatum) and False Brome (B. sylvaticum).

Three agromyzids, Agromyza albipennis, Cerodontha pygmaea and Chromatomyia nigra, are recorded in Britain on Brachypodium. Miners on grasses should be reared, whenever possible, to confirm their identity.

Elsewhere the agromyzids Agromyza mobilis, Agromyza nigripes, Agromyza rondensis, Cerodontha pygmaea, Chromatomyia milii, and Chromatomyia nigra and the ephydrid Hydrellia griseola are recorded mining Brachypodium.

Six species of non-Diptera miners are recorded on Brachypodium in Britain (see below).

Elsewhere seven additional British non-Diptera miners are recorded on Brachypodium (see below).

The gelchiid Helcystogramma rufescens spins grass blades and feeds inside the spiral spinning, causing whitening of the grass blade tip.

A key to the European miners, based on characteristics of the mines, immature stages and where relevant the larval cases, recorded on Brachypodium is provided in Bladmineerders van Europa. This includes Agromyza albipennis, Agromyza nigripes, Agromyza rondensis, Agromyza mobilis, Chromatomyia norwegica, Cerodontha pygmaea, Chromatomyia nigra, Chromatomyia milii and Hydrellia griseola, Elachista adscitella, Elachista albifrontella, Elachista anserinella, Elachista apicipunctella, Elachista argentella, Elachista bifasciella, Elachista bisulcella, Elachista chrysodesmella, Elachista cingillella, Elachista fasciola, Elachista gangabella, Elachista luticomella, Elachista maculicerusella, Elachista obliquella, Elachista pollinariella, Elachista stabilella, Elachista subalbidella, Elachista subocellea, Elachista unifasciella but not Elachista megerlella.The mines of Elachistidae on Brachypodium are not very diagnostic and the majority of the larvae is insufficiently described. It is not possible to key them out.

Key for the identification of the mines of British Diptera recorded on
Arrhenatherum, Avenula, Brachypodium and Molinia

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).

1# > Leaf-miner: Details of mine unknown. Pupation external.

On Arrhenatherum, Dactylis and Holcus, but not yet on Avenula or Brachypodium, in Britain and additional grasses elsewhere. Widespread in England and Europe.

Liriomyza phryne Hendel, 1931 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

1a > Leaf-miner: Pupation internal.

1b > Leaf-miner: Pupation external.

2a > Leaf-miner: Long, narrow, whitish mine. Pupation internal. Puparium yellowish brown, anterior spiracles projecting through the epidermis.

On numerous genera of grasses, including Arrhenatherum, Avenula and Brachypodium, but not yet on Molinia, in Britain and additional grasses elsewhere. Widespread and common throughout British Isles and much of Europe. Also recorded in Canada, western U.S.A. and Japan.

Chromatomyia nigra (Meigen, 1830) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

2b > Leaf-miner: Narrow whitish mine, with frass in distinct black lumps. Pupation internal

On Arrhenatherum, Holcus, Milium and Phleum, but not yet on Avenula or Brachypodium, in Britain and additional grasses elsewhere. Recorded in Scotland and Widespread in continental Europe. Also recorded in Canada.

Chromatomyia fuscula (Zetterstedt, 1838) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

2c > Leaf-miner: Irregular mine, locally shallow, elsewhere much deeper, giving it a mottled appearance. In broadleaved plants the mine often begins as a blotch with stellate extensions, but sometimes as a very fine, shallow corridor. In grasses the mine often begins in the leaf sheath. The frass is very fine-grained, initially scattered, later in aggregates.

Mine of Hydrellia griseola on Glyceria fluitans. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Bladmineerders van Europa)

Mine of Hydrellia griseola on Glyceria fluitans
Image: Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders van Europa)

On ? Alisma, ? Damasonium, ? Sagittaria, ? Bellis, ? Rorippa, Tropaeolum , ? Lychnis, ? Stellaria, ? Carex, ? Cyperus, ? Scirpus, ? Hydrocharis, ? Stratiotes, ? Lamium, ? Lemna, ? Allium, Arrhenatherum, ? Polygonum, ? Potamogeton, ? Veronica, ? Typha, but not yet on Avena, Avenula or Brachypodium, in Britain and ? Alisma, ? Damasonium, ? Sagittaria, ? Bellis, ? Rorippa, Tropaeolum, Lychnis, ? Stellaria, Carex, ? Scirpus, Trifolium, ? Hydrocharis, Lamium, ? Lemna, Allium, Papaver, Agrostis, Alopecurus, Apera, Arrhenatherum, Avena, Avenula, Brachypodium, Briza, Bromus, Calamagrostis, Dactylis, Desmazeria, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Eleusine, Elymus, Festuca, Gaudinia, Glyceria, Holcus, Hordeum, Lagurus, Lolium, Panicum, Phalaris, Phleum, Phragmites, Poa, Secale, Setaria, Triticum, ? Polygonum, ? Potamogeton, Veronica, ? Typha and Verbena elsewhere. Widespread in England. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in the Palaearctic region. Also recorded from Nearctic and Australasian Regions.

Hydrellia griseola (Fallén, 1813) [Diptera: Ephydridae].

2d > Leaf-miner: Larvae feed singly, forming an upper surface linear-blotch mine. Pupation either internal or external. Puparium reddish, brown or black, loosely glued to the leaf.

Mine of Agromyza albipennis on Phalaris arundinacea. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Bladmineerders van Europa)

Mine of Agromyza albipennis on Phalaris arundinacea
Image: Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders van Europa)

On Arrhenatherum, Brachypodium, Bromus, Dactylis, Glyceria, Holcus, Hordeum, Milium, Phalaris and Poa, but not yet on Avena or Molinia in Britain and additional grasses elsewhere. Widespread and common in Britain. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Very common in western Europe and recorded in Canada.

Agromyza albipennis Meigen, 1830 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

3a > Leaf-miner: A single larva in mine.

3b > Leaf-miner: More than one larva in mine.

4a > Leaf-miner: A lower surface mine. Normally pupation in the ground. Puparium yellowish brown.

On Agrostis, Arrhenatherum, Dactylis, Elymus, Festuca, Holcus and Poa, but not yet on Avena, Brachypodium or Molinia, in Britain. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe. Also Canada.

Cerodontha flavocingulata (Strobl, 1909) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

4b > Leaf-miner: Upper surface corridor mine. The mine starts at the leaf apex. Frass in clumps or closely packed grains.

On ? Arrhenatherum in Britain and additional grasses elsewhere. British record needs confirmation. Also recorded in continental Europe.

? Liriomyza graminivora Hering, 1949 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

4c > Leaf-miner: Larvae feed singly, forming an upper surface linear-blotch mine. Pupation either internal or external. Puparium reddish, brown or black, frequently adhering to leaf near end of mine.

Mine of Agromyza albipennis on Phalaris arundinacea
Image: Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders van Europa)

On Arrhenatherum, Brachypodium, Bromus, Dactylis, Glyceria, Holcus, Hordeum, Milium, Phalaris and Poa, but not yet on Avena or Molinia, in Britain and additional grasses elsewhere. Widespread and common in Britain. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Very common in western Europe and recorded in Canada.

Agromyza albipennis Meigen, 1830 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

4d > Leaf-miner: Larvae feed singly, forming greenish mine, initially running towards apex of leaf before turning back down and developing into a broad blotch. Puparium reddish brown.

On Arrhenatherum, Bromus, Calamagrostis, Poa, Secale and Triticum, but not yet on Avena, Brachpodium or Molinia, in Britain and additional grasses elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.

Agromyza rondensis Strobl, 1900 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

5a > Leaf-miner: Normally several larvae feed together. Pupation in the mine. Puparium shining black

On Arrhenatherum, Brachypodium, Bromus, Bromopsis, Calamagrostis, Dactylis, Deschampsia, Elymus, Festuca, Holcus, Lolium, Molinia and Phalaris, but not yet on Avena, in Britain and additional grasses elsewhere. Widespread and common in Britain. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread and frequently common in much of Europe. Also recorded in Alaska and Canada.

Cerodontha (Poemyza) pygmaea (Meigen, 1830) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

5b > Leaf-miner: Several larvae can occur together in a single leaf. The young larva first feeds towards the apex of the leaf, later turning and feeding downwards. Pupation external. Puparium reddish brown

Mine of Agromyza nigrociliata on Arrhenatherum elatius. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Bladmineerders van Europa)

Mine of Agromyza nigrociliata on Arrhenatherum elatius
Image: Willem Ellis (Bladmineerders van Europa)

Agromyza nigrociliata Hendel, 1931 [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

5c > Leaf-miner: Upper-surface, unusually short corridor (ca. 4 cm). Puparium brown

On Arrhenatherum and Tragopogon and possibly Agrostis, but not yet on Avena, Brachypodium or Molinia, in Britain. Widespread but not common in southern England. Also recorded on in the Republic of Ireland and Europe.

Liriomyza pusio (Meigen, 1830) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

Key for the identification of the mines of British non-Diptera recorded on
Brachypodium

Note: The larvae of mining Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera may live in a corridor mine, a corridor-blotch mine, a blotch mine, a case, a rolled or folded leaf, a tentiform mine or sandwiched between two more or less circular leaf sections in later instars. Larva may pupate in a silk cocoon. The larva may have at least six legs (although they may be reduced or absent), a head capsule and chewing mouthparts with opposable mandibles (see video of a gracillarid larva feeding). Larvae of Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera usually also have abdominal legs (see examples). Frass, if present, never in two rows. Unless feeding externally from within a case the larva usually vacates the mine by chewing an exit hole. Pupa with visible head appendages, wings and legs which lie in sheaths (see examples).

1a > Leaf-miner: Tufted hair-grass and blue moor-grass are the main foodplants, the larvae forming gallery mines (UKMoths). Gradually widening corridor, running either upwards or down. All frass is deposited in the earliest part of the mine. Often 2-3 larvae in a mine; in grasses with broad leaves sometimes more than one mine in a leaf (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Deschampsia and Sesleria, but not yet on Brachypodium, in Britain and Carex, Brachypodium, Calamagrostis, Deschampsia, Elymus, Festuca, Melica, Milium, Phleum, Poa and Sesleria elsewhere. Occurs in woodland habitats in England, Wales and locally in Ireland. Also recorded in the Channel Is. and the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Elachista adscitella Stainton, 1851 [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1b > Leaf-miner: The larva mines from the grass tip downwards and the mine occupies half or the whole of the leaf blade width. A whitish blotch is formed with characteristic narrow streaks of frass (British leafminers). Full depth blotch, slightly inflated, descending from the leaf tip, occupying half or the entire width of the blade. The larva may move and make a new mine elsewhere. In the latter case the mines are fairly short; otherwise an entire blade may be mined out. Frass in a some narrow greyish brown streaks. Pupation outside the mine (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Dactylis, Deschampsia and Holcus, but not yet on Brachypodium, in Britain plus Luzula, Agrostis, Alopecurus, Arrhenatherum, Avena, Avenula, Brachypodium, Bromus, Calamagrostis, Elymus, Festuca Koeleria, Phalaris, Phleum, Poa, Trisetum and Triticum elsewhere. Widespread in Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.

Elachista albifrontella (Hübner, 1817) [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1c > Leaf-miner: Corridor widening while descending from the tip of the leaf. The mine is unusual because the sides are very irregularly scalloped out. Moreover, the mine is not evenly transparent, but rather yellowish green and motly, because the larva leaves patches of parenchyma uneaten, and does not feed full depth. Frass in a few irregular, interrupted length lines. Often 2-3 larvae in a mine. The larvae hibernate in the centre of the mine; after winter they leave their mine and pupate ( Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on 'various grasses', but not yet on Brachypodium, in Britain plus Luzula, Agrostis, Arrhenatherum, Brahcypodium, Calamagorstis, Dactylis, Deschampsia, Elymus, Festuca, Glyceria, Holcus, Melica, Milium and Poa elsewhere. Widespread in Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.

Elachista apicipunctella Stainton, 1849 [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1d > Leaf-miner: In autumn the larva makes a narrow corridor a few cm in length, in which it hibernates. In March it moves to a new leaf. Here a transparent, full depth mine is made that descends from the leaf tip, and occupies the entire width of the blade. Most frass is concentrated in the oldest, highest, part of the mine. The larva may leave its mine and restart elsewhere. Pupation outside the mine

Mine of Elachista argentella on Dactylis glomerata
Image: Ben Smart (British leafminers)

Recorded on Dactylis glomerata, but not yet on Brachypodium, in Britain. Recorded on numerous grasses including Brachypodium elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland.

Elachista argentella (Clerck, 1759) [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1e > Leaf-miner: Mine a descending and widening corridor, in the end an elongate blotch that may occupy the entire width of the leaf. The mine contracts somewhat, narrowing the leaf. Frass in some elongate lumps in the centre of the mine (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Deschampsia and Festuca, but not yet on Brachypodium, in Britain and Carex, Brachypodium, Calamagrostis, Deschampsia and Festuca elsewhere. Widespread in Britain. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Elachista bisulcella (Duponchel, 1843) [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1f > Leaf-miner: The larva mines downwards and forms an irregular mine with a silken tube in the centre, which is mixed with frass (British leafminers). Mine transparent (therefore conspicuous), generally descending from the leaf tip. Over the entire length of the mine stretches a central silken tube, in which the larva can retreat and can move quickly up or down. The tube also contains the frass. The larva feeds laterally from the tube, which makes the sides of the mine very irregular (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Brachypodium, Dactylis and Holcus, but not yet on Brachypodium, in Britain and Brachypodium, Dactylis and Melica elsewhere. Distributed in southern England and Wales and also occurring in parts of northern England and Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Elachista gangabella Zeller, 1850 [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1g > Leaf-miner: Long, narrow, white corridor, descending from close to the leaf tip to the leaf base or even stem. Frass in an inconspicuous grey line. From the stem the larva may enter a new leaf (Steuer, 1987a; Bland, 1996a) (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Brachypodium and Dactylis in Britain and Bromopsis, Dactylis, Deschampsia, Festuca, Lolium, Melica, Milium and Poa elsewhere. Widespread in Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.

Elachista luticomella Zeller, 1839 [Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae].

1h > Leaf-miner: Larva makes a large whitish blotch and mines the leaf downwards. The frass tends to be deposited in the upper part of the mine (British leafminers). Oviposition usually not far from the leaf tip. From there descends an irregular blotch mine. Hering (1957a) describes the mine as flat and quite shallow, giving it a greenish, rather than whitish appearance. Frass initially in the oldest, upper part of the mine, later in strings. The larva can leave its mine and restart elsewhere. Normally only one larva per mine, but sometimes two or even three mines in a leaf. Pupation outside the mine (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Dactylis, Phalaris, Phragmites and Poa, but not yet on Brachypodium, in Britain plus Agrostis, Alopecurus, Arrhenatherum, Brachypodium, Calamagrostis, Elymus, Festuca, Holcus, Trisetum and Triticum elsewhere. Widely distributed in Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.

Elachista maculicerusella (Bruand, 1859) [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1i > Leaf-miner: Initially a narrow brownish mine with blackish frass at its base, then moves to another leaf, forming a broader mine. Both mines can pucker the blade (British leafminers).

Mine of Elachista obliquella
Image: Rob Edmunds (British leafminers)

Recorded on Brachypodium and Bromopsis in Britain. Host plants elsewhere unknown. Southern half of England. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Elachista obliquella Stainton, 1854 [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1j > Leaf-miner: Mines downwards from leaf tip to stem. Makes a long narrow yellowish mine. May be up to four larvae in one leaf (British leafminers). Long narrow yellowish corridor, descending from the leaf tip to its base; at times 3-4 larvae in a leaf. Often several larvae in a communal mine. Pupation outside the mine (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Carex, Agrostis, Brachypodium, Deschampsia and Festuca in Britain and Agrostis, Avena, Brachypodium, Calamagrostis, Festuca, Milium and Poa elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.

Elachista stabilella Stainton, 1858 [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1k > Leaf-miner: The larva creates a long narrow mine in the blade (UKMoths). Mine fairly translucent. It starts as a narrow corridor, running towards the leaf tip, but this almost invariably is overrun be a later, broad, descending corridor. The centre of the mine contains a vertical tube made of loose silk, in which the larva can quickly move up or down, and in which also most frass gets trapped. The sides of the mine are smooth (contrary to E. gangabella). Mines are difficult to find, because the leaves are wilting when larvae are present (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Molinia, but not yet on Brachypodium, in Britain and Carex, Arrhenatherum, Brachypodium, Calamagrostis, Melica, Molinia and Poa elsewhere.

Elachista subalbidella Schläger, 1847 [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1l > Leaf-miner: The larva feeds internally on a leaf of False Brome, forming a blister-like mine (UKMoths). At first a narrow ascending corridor. The direction reverses and the mine develops into a broad, greenish, inconspicuous blotch, reminiscent of a tentiform mine, 5-8 cm long. Pupation external (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Brachypodium in Britain and elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.

Elachista subocellea (Stephens, 1834) [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1m > Leaf-miner: In autumn the larva makes a long, somewhat blistered, slightly transparent corridor. In spring it mines the basal leaves that lie on the ground. These mines are swollen, clouded green, opaque, and the mined tips of the leaves are puckered and shrunken, filled with frass (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Brachypodium and Dactylis in Britain and Brachypodium, Dactylis, Avenula, Holcus and Milium elsewhere. Recorded from North Essex, North Hants and South Essex in Britain. Widespread in continental Europe.

Elachista unifasciella (Haworth, 1828) [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].


	Last updated 04-Feb-2012 Brian Pitkin