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HIEROCHLOE. Holy-grass. [Poaceae]

Holy-grass (H. odorata) is the only species of Hierochloe recorded in Britain. It is protected in Northern Ireland under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order, 1985. Two dipterous miners, the agromyzids Cerodontha muscina and Chromatomyia milii, are recorded on Hierochloe in Britain. Miners on grasses should be reared, whenever possible, to confirm their identity. Elsewhere the agromyzids Chromatomyia milii, Chromatomyia nigra and Cerodontha muscina are recorded mining Hierochloe. One non-dipterous leaf-miner is recorded on Hierochloe in Britain (see below).

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

1> Broad lower surface mine which generally starts at the leaf apex.The mine is somewhat irregular in depth. Frass in irregular black-green, frequently melted grains, most along the edges of the mine. Larva solitary. Pupation generally internal. Puparium shining metallic bluish-black, posterior spiracles projecting through the epidermis Cerodontha (Poemyza) muscina (Meigen) [Agromyzidae]. ->A substantial linear mine. Pupation internal. Puparium posterior spiracles projecting through the epidermis. Mine of Chromatomyia milii on Holcus lanatus. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Chromatomyia milii (Kaltenbach) [Agromyzidae].

Non-dipterous miners recorded on Hierochloe in Britain Cosmopterix orichalcea Stainton, 1861 Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae

Last updated 29-Jul-2008  Brian Pitkin

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