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PICRIS. Oxtongues. [Asteraceae]

Five species of Picris are recorded in Britain. These include the native Bristly Oxtongue (P. echioides) and Hawkweed Oxtongue (P. hieracioides). Five dipterous miners, the agromyzids Chromatomyia 'atricornis', Liriomyza strigata, Ophiomyia cunctata, Ophiomyia pulicaria and Phytomyza marginella, are recorded mining Picris in Britain. The agromyzid Melanagromyza oligophaga forms galls in the upper part of the stem of Picris and other Asteraceae in Britain and elsewhere. The agromyzid Liriomyza huidobrensis, a polyphagous pest species of ornamental and vegetable crops occasionally intercepted at UK points of entry, is recorded on Picris and has been found under glass in England and Wales. All populations have been and continue to be eradicated. Elsewhere the agromyzids Chromatomyia syngenesiae, Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liromyza strigata, Ophiomyia beckeri, Ophiomyia cunctata, Ophiomyia pulicaria and Phytomyza marginella are recorded mining Picris. No non-dipterous miners are recorded on Picris in Britain.

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

1> Mine primarily associated with the mid-rib. 2. -> Mine not primarily associated with the mid-rib. 3. 2> A distinctive mine with irregular short lateral offshoots into leaf blade. Pupation external.     Mines of Liriomyza strigata on Sonchus. Image: Crown copyright - courtesy of CSL Liriomyza strigata (Meigen) [Agromyzidae] ->A whitish blotch mine along mid-rib, with offshoots into leaf blade. Pupation takes place at the base of the mid-rib. Puparium yellowish white Mine of Ophiomyia cunctata on Taraxacum officinale. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Ophiomyia cunctata (Hendel) [Agromyzidae]. ->A whitish blotch-mine along the mid-rib, with lateral offshoots into the leaf blade. Pupation internal. Puparium pale, whitish-yellow Mine of Ophiomyia pulicaria on Taraxacum officinale. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Ophiomyia pulicaria (Meigen) [Agromyzidae]. 3>Mine linear, whitish, both upper and lower surface. Pupation internal, at the end of the mine, with the anterior spiracles projecting through the epidermis. Mine of Chromatomyia atricornis on Sonchus olearaceus. Images: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Chromatomyia 'atricornis' auctt. [Agromyzidae]. ->A lower and upper surface mine, unusually long, linear, conspicuously broad, frequently largely on the underside of the leaf. Pupation external. Puparium black Mine of Phytomyza marginella on Lapsana communis. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Phytomyza marginella Fallén [Agromyzidae].

Last updated 30-Jul-2008  Brian Pitkin

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