Eight
species of Thalictrum are recorded in Britain. These include
the native Alpine Meadow-rue (T. alpinum), Common Meadow-rue
(T. flavum) and Lesser Meadow-rue (T. minus).
No
non-dipterous miners are recorded on Thalictrum in Britain.
Key for the identification of the known Diptera mines in
Britain.
1>Stem-miner.
Larva forming an external stem mine, with widely spaced grains of
black frass. Pupation takes place at the end of the mine. Puparium
black
->Leaf-miner. Larva forming short, irregular white linear
mine, with frass in conspicuous black strips. Pupation external,
normally adhering to the leaf near the end of the mine until dislodged
by rain or wind. Puparium reddish-brown (orange)
Mine
of Phytomyza minuscula on Aquilegia vulgaris. Image: Brian Pitkin
->
Leaf-miner. Larva forms large primary blotch,
sometimes several larvae feeding together with frass scattered irregularly
throughout the mine; leaves often being largely destroyed and the
plants suffering considerable damage (Spencer,
1976: 380, 381 (fig. 663A)). The mine is illustrated in British
leafminers and Nederlandse
bladmineerders.
Mines
of Phytomyza aquilegiae on Aquilegia vulgaris.
Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse
bladmineerders)