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SPARGANIUM. Bur-reeds. [Sparganiaceae]

Four species of Sparganium are recorded in Britain. These include the native Floating Bur-reed (S. angustifolium), Unbranched Bur-reed (S. emersum), Branched Bur-reed (S. erectum) and Least Bur-reed (S. natans). The chironomid Cricotopus tricinctus is recorded half-mining the leaves of Sparganium minimum in Britain and elsewhere (Bland, 1994). Three non-dipterous miners are recorded on Sparganium in Britain (see below).

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

1> Half-mine; a 1 cm long straight mine along the midline of the upperside of the leaf; larva rests in this retreat during the day, emerging to devour the upper epidermis of the leaf during the hours of darkness. Feeding occurs from both ends of the retreat to a similar degree. Cricotopus tricinctus Meigen [Chironomidae].

Non-dipterous miners recorded on Sparganium in Britain Elophila nymphaeata (Linnaeus, 1758) Lepidoptera: Crambidae   Nymphula nitidulata (Hufnagel, 1767) Lepidoptera: Crambidae   Orthotelia sparganella (Thunberg, 1788) Lepidoptera: Glyphipterigidae

Last updated 20-Aug-2008  Brian Pitkin

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