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MELILOTUS. Melilots. [Fabaceae]

Eleven species of Melilotus are recorded in Britain. All are introduced. Five dipterous miners, the agromyzids Agromyza frontella, Agromyza nana, Chromatomyia horticola, Liriomyza cicerina and Liriomyza congesta, are recorded on Melilotus in Britain. The agromyzidsLiriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza sativae and Liriomyza trifolii, pest species of ornamental and vegetable crops occasionally intercepted at UK points of entry, are recorded on Melilotus. Liriomyza huidobrensis and Liriomyza trifolii have been found under glass in England and Wales. All populations have been and continue to be eradicated. Elsewhere the agromyzids Agromyza frontella, Agromyza nana, Liriomyza bryoniae, Liriomyza cicerina, Liriomyza congesta, Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza sativae, Liriomyza strigata and Liriomyza trifolii are recorded mining Melilotus. One non-dipterous leaf-miner is recorded on Melilotus in Britain (see below).

Ribbed Melilot - Melilotus officinalis

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

1> Initially a linear mine running towards apex of leaf which then turns back in area of mid-rib, developing into a blotch. Puparium reddish-brown Agromyza frontella (Rondani) [Agromyzidae]. -> Larva producing a short narrow linear mine not associated with the margin, which then develops into a conspicuous white blotch centred on the mid-rib. At the end of feeding the larva lies for one or two days along the mid-rib. Pupation external. Puparium reddish Mines of Agromyza nana on Onobrychus viciifolia. Images: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Agromyza nana Meigen [Agromyzidae]. -> Mine linear, whitish, both upper and lower surface. Pupation internal, at the end of the mine, with the anterior spiracles projecting through the epidermis. Puparium whitish Mine of Chromatomyia horticola on Papaver rhoeas. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau) [Agromyzidae]. -> An upper or lower surface shallow winding linear mine, which may develop into a secondary blotch. Pupation external. Puparium orange Liriomyza cicerina (Rondani) [Agromyzidae]. -> An upper surface linear mine with frass in conspicuous greenish strips, largely alternating at each side of the channel. Puparium yellow Vicia sepium Lathyrus pratensis Mines of Liriomyza congesta. Images: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Liriomyza congesta (Becker) [Agromyzidae].

Non-dipterous miners recorded on Melilotus in Britain Coleophora trifolii (Curtis, 1832) Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae

Last updated 05-Aug-2008  Brian Pitkin

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