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RANUNCULUS. Buttercups, Spearworts and Crowfoots. [Ranunculaceae]
Twenty-seven species of Ranunuculus are recorded in Britain. These include the native Meadow Buttercup (R. acris), Goldilocks Buttercup (R. auricomus), Bulbous Buttercup (R. bulbosus), Lesser Celandine (R. ficaria), Lesser Spearwort (R. flammula), Greater Spearwort (R. lingua) and Creeping Buttercup (R. repens). Adder's-toungue Spearwort (R. ophioglossifolius) is protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. River Water-crowfoot (R. fluitans) is protected in Northern Ireland under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order, 1985. Eight diptera, the sciarid Ctenosciara hyalipennis and the agromyzids Ophiomyia ranunculicaulis, Phytomyza rydeni, Phytomyza fallaciosa, Phytomyza ranunculi, Phytomyza ranunculivora, Phytomyza stolonigena and Phytomyza notata, are recorded mining Ranunculus in Britain.	Lesser Celandine - Ranunculus ficaria
Elsewhere the sciarid Phytosciara halterata and the agromyzid Phytomyza stolonigena are recorded on Ranunculus (Hering, 1957). The agromyids Phytomyza evanescens and Phytomyza nigritula feed as internal stem-borers of Ranunculus in Britain (Spencer, 1972). The agromyzid Phytomyza albipennis possibly feeds as an internal stem-borer of Ranunculus in Britain (Spencer, 1972). Hennig (1966-76) records Botanophila striolata mining leaves of Ranunculus, but the record is doubtful (pers. comm. Mike Ackland). The agromyzids Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza sativae and Liriomyza trifolii, polyphagous pest species of ornamental and vegetable crops occasionally intercepted at UK points of entry, are recorded on Amaranthus. Liriomyza huidobrensis and Liriomyza trifolii have been found under glass in England and Wales but all populations have been and continue to be eradicated. Elsewhere the agromyzid Phytomyza ranunculicola is recored on Ranunculus. Two non-dipterous miners are recorded on Ranunculus in Britain (see below).

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

#>Details of mine unknown. Ctenosciara hyalipennis (Meigen) [Sciaridae]. 1> Stem or petiole mine with offshoots into the leaf blade. 2. ->Leaf mine. 3. 2> Stem mine. An external stem mine; posterior spiracles each bearing numerous (up to 29) pores, on three arms. Pupating in the mine. Puparium black. Ophiomyia ranunculicaulis Hering [Agromyzidae]. ->Mine runs along petiole, with offshoots into the leaf blade. Pupation external. Mine of Phytomyza stolonigena on Ranunculus repens. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Phytomyza stolonigena Hering [Agromyzidae]. 3> A primary blotch at the tip of the leaf segment. Details of larva and puparium unknown. Mine of Phytomyza rydeni on Ranunculus acris. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Phytomyza rydeni Hering [Agromyzidae]. ->A linear mine, normally at the apex of leaf, winding backwards and forwards and thus forming a secondary blotch which quickly turns brown. Pupation internal. Puparium varies in colour from white to brown (black). Mine of Phytomyza fallaciosa on Ranunculus repens. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Phytomyza fallaciosa Brischke [Agromyzidae]. ->A secondary blotch near the apex of a leaf segment which develops from short, adjoining sections of a linear mine. Pupation internal. Puparium yellow. Mines of Phytomyza ranunculivora on Ranunculus repens. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Phytomyza ranunculivora Hering [Agromyzidae]. -> A conspicuous white linear mine with frass in closely adjoining grains. Pupation external. Puparium greyish or brown. Mine of Phytomyza ranunculi on Ranunculus repens. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Phytomyza ranunculi (Schrank) [Agromyzidae]. ->Mine short, broad, essentially linear, sometimes with a small brown patch at beginning. Pupation external. Puparium dark brown. Mine of Phytomyza notata on Ranunculus acris. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Phytomyza notata Meigen [Agromyzidae].

Non-dipterous miners recorded on Ranunculus in Britain Cnephasia incertana (Treitschke, 1835) Lepidoptera: Tortricidae   Pseudodineura fuscula (Klug, 1816) Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae

Last updated 30-Jul-2008  Brian Pitkin

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