Recording Agromyzidae
The National Agromyzidae Recording Scheme welcomes records of larval and adult material. The preferred method is via iRecord (details can be found here) with all records being verified by the scheme organiser. Please be aware that all records must be supported by photographic evidence. This is in no way casting doubt over a recorder’s ability, it is purely to aid the verification process.
If you do not wish to sign up to iRecord, you can submit records by using the websites ‘submit a record’ form which can be found here.
Records may also be emailed to the scheme organiser ([email protected]), via an Excel spreadsheet which includes all the standard recording data fields (species, location, grid ref, date etc). Again, all records must be supported by a photo (unless images have previously been verified by the scheme organiser).
A grading system has been created to provide recorders with an indication of how easily a species can be recorded on its mine alone. The grades are;
Grade 1 Easily identifiable by inexperienced recorders.
Grade 2 Care should be taken due to possibility of other causers.
Grade 3 Difficult to determine, all aspects of the mine should be examined. Rearing advised.
Grade 4 Can be determined by examination of larva or puparium.
Grade 5 Rearing of adult material essential.
Some species may have two recording grades;
Grade 2,5 Readily identified on a particular host but not on others [e.g. Agromyza johannae: on Cytisus = 2, on Genista or Spartium = 5], or, infrequently forming mines resembling other species on the same host [e.g. Phytomyza plantaginis on Plantago: mine in the leaf blade = 2, mine radiating from the petiole = 5].
When a species lifestyle is unknown, these are marked *.
The grades were initially given in the January 2018 newsletter (later superseded by the 2023 version, available to download here) but as our understanding grows, these may change so please check the species pages on this website for the latest grades.
If you have any queries, feel free to get in touch – the scheme organiser is always happy to help – just click on ‘Contact‘ at the top of the page.
