Melanagromyza cunctans

Family

Subfamily

Genus

Species

Melanagromyza cunctans (Meigen, 1830)

Mine

N/A. A gall-inducer, forming a slender swelling of the plant, high in the stem, below the inflorescence. Pupariation within the gall.

Host Plants

• Lotus

Confusion Species

N/A.

Recording Grade

5

National Status

Nationally Scarce A.

Puparium

Orangey-brown, posterior spiracles separated by slightly more than their own diameter, each with an ellipse of 6-8 bulbs around the low protuberance replacing the normal horn. Length from 2.3mm in male to 2.8mm in female.

Adult

Head: Frons slightly wider than width of eye, orbits only slightly projecting above eye in profile, with 2 ors, 2 ori. Orbital setulae sparse, in a single row, all reclinate (one or two may be erect at level of lunule). Eye bare in male and female. Gena slightly deeper in centre below eye, 0.10-0.14x as high as eye. Cheek not forming a distinct ring below eye. Orbits narrow; lunule broad, semi-circular, sometimes with a slight central furrow. Ocellar triangle large, reaching beyond level of lower ors, sometimes beyond upper ori. Third antennal segment small, rounded with short pubescence, not longer than the basal section of the arista.
Mesonotum: 2 strong dc; acr in 6-10 rows, reducing to 3-5 at level of first dc. 1-2 dorsal scutellar setulae rarely present near lateral scutellar setae.
Wing: Hyaline, all veins brownish. Ultimate section of vein M₄ 0.90 (average) that of the penultimate. Costal sections (2-4) with an average ratio of 100:25:22. Length 1.9-2.2 mm in male, 2.2-2.4 mm in female.
Colour: Frons matt, deep black. Orbits and ocellar triangle shining. Lunule same as frons. Gena and palpi black. Mesonotum black, shining, abdomen distinctly more metallic, greenish. Calypter whitish, margin pale yellow, fringe whitish. Legs dark with 2 weak posterolateral setae on mid tibia.
Male genitalia: Surstylus sometimes with a few long setae, several spines are present on inner surface; phallus bilaterally asymmetrical, mesophallus relatively straight, curving downwards when viewed from above; distiphallus distinctive, with distinct arch of spiculae when viewed from above; distal tubule short and weak..
Female genitalia: Egg guide broad, more rounded apically, 3.3x as long as maximum width, medial membrane with several sensilla centrally between inner and the very broad outer margin.