Melanagromyza dettmeri

Family

Subfamily

Genus

Species

Melanagromyza dettmeri Hering, 1933

Mine

N/A. An internal stem-borer, usually feeding low down the stem. Pupariation internal.

Host Plants

• Centaurea
• Senecio
• Tragopogon

Confusion Species

Melanagromyza aeneoventris, Melanagromyza eupatorii, Melanagromyza oligophaga. For puparia in Centaurea, adults must be reared as a recently newly described species (Melanagromyza stemivora) was discovered in Centaurea stems in Ukraine.

Recording Grade

4

National Status

Nationally Scarce B.

Puparium

Greyish-white, posterior spiracles dark, almost adjoining, each with an ellipse of 13-18 bulbs around a strong central horn. Length from 2.9 in male to 4.1mm in female.

Adult

Head: Frons 1.5-2.0x as wide as eye, orbits only slightly projecting above eye in profile, with 2 ors, 2-4 ori. Orbital setulae relatively numerous, in two rows, both proclinate and reclinate. Eye slightly pubescent in male, female bare. Gena slightly deeper in centre below eye, 0.20-0.25x as high as eye. Cheek barely forming a distinct ring below eye. Orbits broad; lunule broad, semi-circular, rarely with a slight central furrow. Ocellar triangle frequently reaching to upper ori. Third antennal segment small, rounded with short pubescence, not longer than the basal section of the arista.
Mesonotum: 2 strong dc (irregularly, a strong 3rd dc may be present, either between 1st and 2nd dc or after 2nd dc); acr in 8-10 rows, reducing to 4-5 at level of first dc. No setulae detected on or at the side of the scutellum.
Wing: Normal, hyaline, all veins brownish. Ultimate section of vein M₄ 0.75 (average) that of the penultimate. Costal sections (2-4) with an average ratio of 100:23:24. Length 2.6-2.9 mm in male, 3.1-3.5 mm in female.
Colour: Frons matt, deep black but with distinct sub-shine. Orbits shining adjoining frons, matt adjoining eye, ocellar triangle shining. Lunule slightly lighter than frons. Gena brownish with palpi black. Mesonotum black, shining, with slight coppery tone, abdomen distinctly more metallic, greenish. Calypter greyish-white, margin variable, pale brown to dark brown, fringe pale, whitish. Legs dark, brownish-black with 2 strong posterolateral setae on mid tibia (rarley the posterior seta is reduced or absent).
Male genitalia: Surstylus possessing a group of long setae and several spines on inner surface; basiphallus U-shaped; basal bladder of mesophallus with slight upward curvature; distiphallus with distinct Sigma (Σ) shape of spiculae when viewed from above; distal tubule relatively strong and wide.
Female genitalia: Egg guide acute and slightly concave apically, 4.0-4.5x as long as maximum width, medial membrane with numerous strong sensilla posteriorly, between inner and outer margin, with small scales centrally, extending to tip, not reaching either margin.