Two Phytobia species added to yet another vice county list
Robert Homan observed the medullary spots of Phytobia carbonaria (Zetterstedt, 1848) and Phytobia cerasiferae (Kangas, 1955) larvae, in Hawthorn and Blackthorn respectively, on 18 December 2023 at a site in Grandpont, Berkshire VC22. Both species are new to the vice county. Thanks to Robert for submitting these records.
As predicted, these previously virtually ‘unknown’ species are proving to be two of the most abundant and easily found agromyzids in Great Britain. As yet, P. cerasiferae hasn’t been recorded from Scotland but there are only a couple of individuals looking for it – there may be a nice discovery waiting for someone……..!
