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URTICA. Nettles. [Urticaceae]

Six species of Urtica are recorded in Britain. These include the native Common Nettle (U. dioica) and Small Nettle (U. urens). Three dipterous miners, the agromyzids Agromyza anthracina, Agromyza pseudoreptans and Agromyza reptans, are recorded on Urtica in Britain. The agromyzids Melanagromyza aenea and Phytomyza flavicornis are recorded boring the stems of Urtica in Britain and elsewhere. Elsewhere the agromyzids Agromyza anthracina, Agromyza pseudoreptans and Agromyza reptans and the tephritid Philophylla caesio are recorded mining Urtica. No non-dipterous miners are recorded on Urtica in Britain.

Common Nettle - Urtica dioica.

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

1> Larva forming linear-blotch mine between two veins, not adjoining margin of leaf, frass in distinct black strips or pellets. Puparium reddish-brown Mine of Agromyza anthracina on Urtica dioica. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Agromyza anthracina Meigen [Agromyzidae]. ->Larva forming linear-blotch, adjoining or following the margin of the leaf. 2. 2> Larva forming irregular elongate linear blotch mine, normally adjoining margin of leaf. Puparium reddish-brown Mine of Agromyza pseudoreptans on Urtica dioicae. Image: Willem Ellis (Source: Nederlandse bladmineerders) Agromyza pseudoreptans Nowakowski [Agromyzidae]. ->Mine generally follows the leaf margin, widening from the initial linear section into an irregular broad blotch; it is dark green when fresh but quickly turns blackish. Puparium reddish-brown Agromyza reptans Fallén [Agromyzidae]. Mines on Urtica dioica. Images: Brian Pitkin

Last updated 07-Aug-2008  Brian Pitkin

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