Festuca [Poaceae]

FESTUCA. Fescues. [Poaceae]

Twenty-one species of Festuca are recorded in Britain. Fourteen of these are native and include Tall Fescue (F. arundinacea).

Festuca arundinacea is treated as Schedonorus arundinacea, Festuca gigantea is treated as Schedonorus gigantea, and Festuca pratensis is treated as Schedonorus pratensis by Stace (2010).

Five Diptera miners, the agromyzids Agromyza nigrella, Cerodontha denticornis, Cerodontha flavocingulata, Cerodontha pygmaea and Chromatomyia nigra, are recorded on Festuca in Britain. Miners on grasses should be reared, whenever possible, to confirm their identity.

Elsewhere the agromyzids Agromyza albipennis, Agromyza mobilis, Agromyza nigrella, Cerodontha denticornis, Cerodontha flavocingulata, Cerodontha incisa, Cerodontha muscina, Cerodontha pygmaea, Chromatomyia fuscula, Chromatomyia milii, Chromatomyia nigra, Liriomyza flaveola, Liriomyza graminivora and Pseudonapomyza atra and the ephydrid Hydrellia griseola are recorded mining Festuca.

Sheep's Fescue
Festuca aff. ovina

Seven non-Diptera miners are recorded on Festuca in Britain (see below).

Elsewhere nine additional British non-Diptera miners are recorded on Festuca (see below).

A key to the European miners, based on characteristics of the mines, immature stages and where relevant the larval cases, recorded on Festuca is provided in Bladmineerders van Europa. This includes Agromyza albipennis, Agromyza mobilis, Agromyza nigrella, Cerodontha denticornis, Cerodontha flavocingulata, Cerodontha incisa, Cerodontha muscina, Cerodontha pygmaea, Chromatomyia fuscula, Chromatomyia nigra, Chromatomyia milii, Hydrellia griseola, Liriomyza flaveola, Liriomyza graminivora, Pseudonapomyza atra, Elachista adscitella, Elachista albifrontella, Elachista apicipunctella, Elachista argentella, Elachista bedellella, Elachista bifasciella, Elachista cahorsensis, Elachista bisulcella, Elachista canapennella, Elachista dispilella, Elachista encumeadae, Elachista freyerella, Elachista griseella, Elachista herrichii, Elachista humilis, Elachista luticomella, Elachista maculicerusella, Elachista nobilella, Elachista obliquella, Elachista pollinariella, Elachista pullicomella, Elachista rufocinerea, Elachista stabilella, Elachista subnigrella, Elachista triseriatella, Elachista utonella but not Cerodontha lapplandica, Cosmopterix orichalcea or Glyphipterix fuscoviridella.

Key for the identification of the mines of British Diptera recorded on
Festuca

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 > Larval leaf mine starts as a narrow channel running towards apex of leaf but later develops into a broad blotch running downwards. Frass largely diffused, giving the mine a characteristic greenish appearance. Pupation external. Puparium reddish brown

On Dactylis, Festuca, Glyceria, Holcus, Lolium, Phleum, Poa, Secale, Setaria and Trisetum in Britain and additionally other genera of grasses elsewhere. Widespread in Britain. Common and widespread thoughout much of Europe. Also recorded in the U.S.A.

Agromyza nigrella (Rondani, 1875) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

1b > Larva feeds mainly in the leaf sheaths. The short mines which may be formed in the leaf blade may be easily overlooked. Pupation internal.

On Alopecurus, Elymus, Festuca, Holcus and Phalaris in Britain (including the Channel Is.) and additional grasses elsewhere. Widespread from the southern England to Scotland, most northerly record Outer Hebrides. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland, Europe, Africa and Japan.

Cerodontha (Cerodontha) denticornis (Panzer, 1806) [Diptera: Agromyzidae].

1c > A lower surface mine. Pupation normally in the ground. Puparium yellowish brown

On Agrostis, Arrhenatherum, Dactylis, Elymus, Festuca, Holcus and Poa in Britain. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe. Also Canada.

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

1d > 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 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].

1e > Long, narrow, whitish mine. Pupation internal. Puparium yellowish brown, anterior spiracles projecting through the epidermis.

On numerous genera of grasses, including Festuca, in Britain and 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].

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

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).

1# > Leaf-miner: Details unknown.

Recorded on Festuca, Koeleria and Poa. Hosts elsewhere unknown. Britain including South Devon. Widespread in continental Europe.

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

1# > Leaf-miner: Details unknown.

Recorded on Festuca in Britin. Hosts elsewhere unknown. From south-east England to southern Scotland and Northern Ireland, but not present in south-west England and Wales. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

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

1a > Leaf-miner: Makes long narrow galleries. The frass is distributed through the mine and also some is ejected. The larvae may mine more than one leaf (British leafminers). Elongate, rather irregular blotch. Most frass is ejected, what remains is concentrated in a few heaps. The larva makes several mines. Pupaton outside the mine (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Anthoxanthum, Festuca, Hierochloe, Milium, Phalaris and Phragmites in Britain and elsewhere. Britain including Cambridge, Hereford and North Hants. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Cosmopterix orichalcea Stainton, 1861 [Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae].

1b > 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 Festuca, 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].

1c > 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 Festuca, 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].

1d > 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 Festuca, 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].

1e > 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 Festuca, in Britain. Recorded on numerous grasses including Festuca elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland.

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

1f > Leaf-miner: Blotch in the leaf tip; the upper side is practically flat, the lower side can turn somewhat to purple. The larva may mine 2-3 leaves (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Avenula pratense, but not yet on Festuca, in Britain and Arrhenatherum, Avena, Festuca, Avenula, Phleum and Poa elsewhere. Distibution in Britain uknown. Widespread in continental Europe.

Elachista bedellella (Sircom, 1848) [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1g > 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 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].

1h > Leaf-miner: Flat, whitish. Pupation outside the mine (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Holcus mollis, but not yet on Festuca, in Britain plus Agrostis, Arrhenatherum, Avenula, Deschampsia, Festuca and Poa elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe.

Elachista canapennella (Hübner, 1813) [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1i > Leaf-miner: Long, flat, whitish, relatively broad corridor descending from the leaf tip. Frass irregularly scattered. The larva may make several mines during its lifetime. Pupation outside the mine (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Dactylis, Holcus and Poa, but not yet on Festuca, in Britain plus Agrostis, Bromus, Festuca, Holcus, Koeleria, Trisetum and Triticum elsewhere. Widespread and reasonably common throughout much of the British Isles except the very far north. Widespread in continental Europe.

Elachista freyerella (Hübner, 1825) [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1j > Leaf-miner: In spring a short corridor is made that is almost stuffed with frass. After hibernation this mine is vacated, and the larva then makes a number of elongated blotches, all descending from the leaf tip. These latter mines are whitish, with irregularly scattered frass (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Carex, Agrostis, Anthoxanthum, Deschampsia, Festuca, Holcus and Poa in Britain plus Phalaris elsewhere. Widespread in Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.

Elachista humilis Zeller, 1850 [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1k > 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, but not yet on Festuca, 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: Elachistidae].

1l > 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 Festuca, 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].

1m > Leaf-miner: The larvae feed on a range of grasses, causing whitish mines on the blades (UKMoths). Flat, translucent mine that can either run or down; the width may vary too, can be as wide as the blade. Frass few, grey, dispersed. The larva makes several mines (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Arrhenatherum, Festuca, Holcus and Phleum in Britain and Arrhenatherum, Festuca and Holcus elsewhere. Widespread in Britain and continental Europe. Also recorded from the Republic of Ireland.

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

1n > 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].

1o > Leaf-miner: Narrow, flat, corridor descending from the leaf tip. Frass in an almost continuous line. The larva usually makes several mines. Mines pale yellow green at first, turning purple later. Pupation external (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Bromopsis erecta and Avenula pubescens, but not yet on Festuca, in Britain and Avena, Bromopsis, Calamagrostis, Dactylis, Festuca, Avenula and Holcus elsewhere. Southern England. Widespread in continental Europe.

Elachista subnigrella Douglas, 1853 [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].

1p > Leaf-miner: The mine begins somewhere halfway the blade as an upwards running corridor. After a while the direction reverses, and an elongate blotch develops occupying half the width of the leaf. Frass, light green at first, grey later, concentrated in the lowest part of the mine. Pupation external (Bladmineerders van Europa).

Recorded on Carex in Britain and Carex, Festuca and Scirpus elsewhere. Britain including East Kent, North Hants and South Devon. Also recorded in the Republic of Ireland. Widespread in continental Europe.

Elachista utonella Frey, 1856 [Lepidoptera: Elachistidae].


	Last updated 01-Feb-2012 Brian Pitkin