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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MERCURIALIS. Mercury. [Euphorbiaceae]

Two species of Mercurialis are recorded in Britain. These include the native Dog's Mercury (M. perennis) and the introduced Annual Mercury (M. annua).

Only one dipterous miner, Liriomyza strigata, is recorded on Mercurialis in Britain.

The agromyzid Liriomyza sativae, a polyphagous pest species of ornamental and vegetable crops occasionally intercepted at UK points of entry, is recorded on Mercurialis.

Elsewhere the agromyzids Liriomyza bryoniae, Liriomyza sativae and Liriomyza strigata are recorded mining Mercurialis.

No non-dipterous miners are recorded on Mercurialis in Britain.
Dog's Mercury - Mercurialis perennis Image: Brian Pitkin

Dog's Mercury - Mercurialis perennis.


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


1> A distinctive mine primarily above mid-rib, with irregular short lateral offshoots into leaf blade. Pupation external.
Mine of Liriomyza strigata on Sonchus. Image: Crown copyright - courtesy of CSL Mine of Liriomyza strigata on Sonchus. Image: Crown copyright - courtesy of CSL Mine of Liriomyza strigata on Sonchus. Image: Crown copyright - courtesy of CSL
  Mine of Liriomyza strigata on Sonchus. Image: Crown copyright - courtesy of CSL  
Mines of Liriomyza strigata on Sonchus. Image: Crown copyright - courtesy of CSL

Liriomyza strigata (Meigen) [Agromyzidae].

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Last updated 20-Jan-2008  Brian Pitkin

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