Melanagromyza eriolepidis

Family

Subfamily

Genus

Species

Melanagromyza eriolepidis Spencer, 1961

Mine

N/A. An internal stem-borer, feeding and pupariating deep within the stem.

Host Plants

• Cirsium

Confusion Species

Melanagromyza aeneoventris.

Recording Grade

4

National Status

pRDB 1.

Puparium

Distinctly orange (although more yellow in paratypes), posterior spiracles separated by their own diameter, each with a circle of 20-25 rather irregular bulbs around the black central horn. Length from 2.9mm in male to 4.1mm in female.

Adult

Head: Frons 1.8-2.0x as wide as eye, orbits strongly projecting above eye in profile, with 2 strong ors, 4 ori. Orbital setulae relatively numerous, in 2-4 rows, entirely proclinate. Gena deeper in centre below eye, 0.25x as high as eye. Cheek forming a distinct narrow ring below eye. Orbits relatively broad; lunule broad, semi-circular, with a distinct central furrow. Ocellar triangle relatively large, reaching to upper ori. Third antennal segment small, rounded, appearing almost bare. Eye almost bare in male, bare in female.
Mesonotum: 2 strong 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. Ultimate section of vein M₄ 0.70 (average) that of the penultimate. Costal sections (2-4) with an average ratio of 100:31:24. Length 2.7-2.8 mm in male, 3.5-3.6 mm in female.
Colour: Frons matt, black. Orbits shining adjoining frons, matt adjoining eye, ocellar triangle matt. Lunule slightly lighter than frons. Gena blackish-brown with palpi black. Mesonotum brilliantly shining, metallic green, coppery, abdomen bright greenish-blue (more so in female). Calypter whitish-grey, margin very pale brown to slightly darker, fringe whitish. Legs blackish-brown, with 2 strong posterolateral setae on mid tibia.
Male genitalia: Surstylus possessing a few long setae and several spines on inner surface; basiphallus U-shaped; basal bladder of mesophallus relatively straight; distiphallus with two distinct horn-shaped areas of spiculae when viewed from above; distal tubule relatively strong and thin.
Female genitalia: Egg guide acute apically, 7.3x as long as maximum width, medial membrane with dense sensilla on inner margin that almost reach outer margin and are absent apically.