The leaf and stem  mines of British flies and other insects by Brian Pitkin, Willem Ellis, Colin Plant and Rob Edmunds


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GLECHOMA. Ground-ivy. [Lamiaceae]


Ground-ivy (G. hederacea) is the only species of Glechoma recorded in Britain. It is a native species.

Five dipterous miners, the agromyzids Agromyza flavipennis, Amauromyza flavifrons, Amauromyza labiatarum, Amauromyza lamii, Amauromyza morionella and Phytomyza glechomae, are recorded on Glechoma in Britain. The British record of Amauromyza lamii, however, is considered unlikely to be correct (Henshaw, 1998).

The agromyzids Liriomyza huidobrensis, a polyphagous pest species of ornamental and vegetable crops occasionally intercepted at UK points of entry, are recorded on Glechoma. The species has been found under glass in England and Wales. All populations have been and continue to be eradicated.

Ground Ivy - Glechoma hederacea  Image:  Brian Pitkin
Ground-ivy - Glechoma hederacea

Elsewhere the polyphagous agromyzids Amauromyza labiatarum, Amauromyza lamii, Amauromyza morionella, Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza strigata and Phytomyza glechomae are recorded mining Glechoma.

Elsewhere the agromyzid Napomyza nigriceps feeds in the stems of Glechoma.

Two non-dipterous miners are recorded on Glechoma in Britain (see below).




Key for the identification of the known Diptera mines in Britain.




1> An initially linear mine, which at second instar develops into a large whitish blotch with conspicuous black frass. The early linear mine is frequently entirely enveloped by the blotch but is detectable by the alternate irregular strips of frass. Pupation external. Puparium reddish-brown. Distinguishable from Amauromyza lamii only by the male genitalia.

Amauromyza (Amauromyza) morionella (Zetterstedt) [Agromyzidae].

-> A white linear-blotch mine, the linear section sometimes not detectable as it becomes enveloped in later blotch. Puparium reddish brown.

Mine of Amauromyza flavifrons on Silene dioica (reflected light). Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders)
Mine of Amauromyza flavifrons on Silene dioica (transmitted light). Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders)
Mines of Amauromyza flavifrons on Silene dioica. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders)

Amauromyza (Trilobomyza) flavifrons (Meigen) [Agromyzidae].

-> A linear-blotch mine, first instar mine is linear, later developing into a conspicuous white blotch. Frass greenish diffused.

Mine of Amauromyza labiatarum. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders)
Mine of Amauromyza labiatarum. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders)
Rubus fruticosus
Filipendula ulmaria
Mines of Amauromyza labiatarum.
Images: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders)

Amauromyza (Trilobomyza) labiatarum (Hendel) [Agromyzidae].

-> Initially a long, slim corridor, the frass alternating on either the side of the corridor. After moulting, the larva broadens the mine and the frass is less regular. Pupation external

Mine of Amauromyza lamii on Stachys sylvatica. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders)
Mine of Amauromyza lamii on Stachys sylvatica. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders)

Amauromyza lamii (Kaltenbach, 1858) [Agromyzidae].

-> A blotch-mine invariably adjoining margin of leaf.

Agromyza flavipennis Hendel [Agromyzidae].

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-> A distinctive mine with a short linear section at the beginning, then winding and forming a secondary blotch, and finally a short straighter end section. Pupation internal or more normally the brown puparium falls to the ground.

Mine of Phytomyza glechomae on Glechoma hederacea. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders)
Mine of Phytomyza glechomae on Glechoma hederacea.
Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders)

Phytomyza glechomae Kaltenbach [Agromyzidae].


Mine on Glechoma hederacea. Image: Brian Pitkin Mine on Glechoma hederacea. Image: Brian Pitkin Mine on Glechoma hederacea. Image: Brian Pitkin
Mines on Glechoma hederacea. Images: Brian Pitkin


Non-dipterous miners recorded on Glechoma in Britain

Coleophora albitarsella Zeller, 1849 Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae British Leafminers UKMoths Nederlandse bladmineerders Fauna Europaea
Trachys scrobiculatus Kiesenwetter, 1857 Coleoptera: Buprestidae     Nederlandse bladmineerders Fauna Europaea



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Last updated 09-Aug-2008  Brian Pitkin

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