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SYMPHYTUM. Comfreys. [Boraginaceae]

Nine species of Symphytum are recorded in Britain. These include the native Tuberous Comfrey (S. tuberosum) and Common Comfrey (S. officinale). Four dipterous miners, the agromyzids Agromyza abiens, Agromyza ferruginosa, Agromyza myosotidis and Phytomyza medicaginis, are recorded on Symphytum in Britain and two of these, Agromyza abiens and Agromyza myosotidis also occurs on Pentaglottis. The agromyzid Melanagromyza symphyti bores the stems or leaf stalks of Symphytum in Britain. Elsewhere the agromyzids Agromyza abiens, Agromyza ferruginosa, Agromyza myosotidis and Phytomyza spondyli are recorded mining Symphytum. One non-dipterous leaf-miner, Dialectica imperialella, is recorded on Symphytum in Britain (see below). Elsewhere one additional British non-dipterous miner is recorded on Symphytum (see below).

Common Comfrey - Symphytum officinale

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

1> A large blotch mine, several larvae feeding together. Agromyza ferruginosa Wulp [Agromyzidae]. ->A large, irregular blotch mine with a short linear section in the first instar which is frequently entirely enveloped in the fully developed mine and may then be no longer visible. Puparium reddish-brown Agromyza myosotidis Kaltenbach [Agromyzidae]. ->A narrow linear leaf mine, which developes into a large blotch. Several larvae frequently feed together and the resulting mine can entirely fill the leaf. Puparium reddish brown Mine of Agromyza abiens on Symphytum officinale. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Agromyza abiens Zetterstedt [Agromyzidae]. ->Mine initially linear, later developing into a whitish blotch, becoming blackish. Pupation in mine on lower surface. Puparium normally dark reddish-brown Mine of Phytomyza medicaginis on Symphytum officinale Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Phytomyza medicaginis Hering [Agromyzidae].

Unidentified mines on Pentaglottis sempervirens Mines on Green Alkanet - Pentaglottis sempervirens. Images: Brian Pitkin

Non-dipterous miners recorded on Symphytum in Britain Dialectica imperialella (Zeller, 1847) Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae Additional British non-dipterous miners recorded on Symphytum elsewhere Coleophora pennella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae

Last updated 20-Aug-2008  Brian Pitkin

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