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TRITICUM. Wheats. [Poaceae]

Seven species of Triticum are recorded in Britain. All are introduced and include Bread Wheat (T. aestivum) and Rivet Wheat (T. turgidum). Seven dipterous miners, the agromyzids Agromyza mobilis, Agromyza nigrella, Agromyza nigrociliata, Agromyza prespana, Agromyza rondensis, Cerodontha lateralis and Chromatomyia nigra, are recorded on Triticum in Britain. Miners on grasses should be reared, whenever possible, to confirm their identity. Elsewhere the agromyzids Agromyza albipennis, Agromyza ambigua, Agromyza intermittens, Agromyza luteitarsis, Agromyza mobilis, Agromyza nigrella, Agromyza nigrociliata, Agromyza prespana, Agromyza rondensis, Cerodontha denticornis, Cerodontha incisa, Cerodontha lateralis, Cerodontha pygmaea, Cerodontha superciliosa, Chromatomyia fuscula, Chromatomyia nigra and Pseudonapomyza atra and the ephydrid Hydrellia griseola are recorded mining Triticum. No non-dipterous miners are recorded on Triticum in Britain. Elsewhere one British non-dipterous leaf-miner is recorded on Triticum (see below).

Bread Wheat - Triticum aestivum

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

1> Larval leaf mine starts as a narrow channel running towards apex of leaf but later develops into a broad blotch running downwards. Frass largely diffused, giving the mine a characteristic greenish appearance. Pupation external. Puparium reddish-brown Agromyza nigrella (Rondani) [Agromyzidae]. ->Long upper surface mine, often with several larvae feeding together side by side. Agromyza mobilis Meigen [Agromyzidae]. ->The young larva first feeds towards the apex of the leaf, later turning and feeding downwards. Several larvae can occur together in a single leaf. Pupation external. Puparium reddish-brown Mine of Agromyza nigrociliata on Arrhenatherum elatius. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Agromyza nigrociliata Hendel [Agromyzidae]. -> Larva forms a broad mine beginning at the apex of the leaf Agromyza prespana Spencer [Agromyzidae] ->Mine greenish with only single larva, initially running towards apex of leaf before turning back down and developing into a broad blotch. Puparium reddish brown Agromyza rondensis Strobl [Agromyzidae]. ->A linear mine running towards the apex of the leaf and this can widen and become almost blotch-like. Pupation internal. Puparium brownish-black Mine of Cerodontha lateralis on Poa pratensis. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Cerodontha (Poemyza) lateralis (Macquart) [Agromyzidae]. ->Long, narrow, whitish mine. Pupation internal. Puparium Yellowish-brown, anterior spiracles projecting through the epidermis. Mine of Chromatomyia nigra on Arrhenatherum elatius. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Chromatomyia nigra (Meigen) [Agromyzidae].

British non-dipterous miners recorded on Triticum elsewhere Elachista albifrontella (Hübner, 1817) Lepidoptera: Elachistidae

Last updated 11-Sep-2008  Brian Pitkin

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