Melanagromyza eupatorii

Family

Subfamily

Genus

Species

Melanagromyza eupatorii Spencer, 1957

Mine

N/A. Feeding and pupariating within the stem, usually low down.

Host Plants

• Eupatorium
• Inula
• Leucanthemum
• Senecio

Confusion Species

Melanagromyza aeneoventris, Melanagromyza dettmeri, Melanagromyza moatesi, Melanagromyza oligophaga.

Recording Grade

4

National Status

Nationally Scarce A.

Puparium

Pale yellowish-white, posterior spiracles separated by their own diameter, each with an incomplete ring of 9-12 clearly-defined bulbs around the small central horn. Length from 3.1mm in male to 4.1mm in female.

Adult

Head: Frons 2.0-2.3x as wide as eye, orbits only slightly projecting above eye in profile (more so at level of ors), with 2 strong ors, 2-4 ori. Orbital setulae numerous, thick, in 2-4 rows, entirely proclinate (rarely, some setulae may be more erect than proclinate). Eye slightly pubescent in male, in female bare (some specimens may possess sparse pubescence). Gena narrow, slightly deeper in centre below eye, 0.08-0.14x as high as eye. Cheek forming a distinct narrow ring below eye. Orbits relatively broad; lunule broad, semi-circular, sometimes with a slight central furrow. Ocellar triangle normal, reaching to lower ors. Third antennal segment small, rounded with short pubescence, not longer than the basal section of the arista.
Mesonotum: 2 strong dc (rarely, a smaller 3rd and 4th dc may be present after 2nd dc); acr in 8-10 rows, reducing to 4-5 at level of first dc, prsc present in one specimen. 1-2 dorsal scutellar setulae rarely present close to lateral scutellar setae.
Wing: Hyaline, veins brownish. Ultimate section of vein M₄ 0.75 (average) that of the penultimate. Costal sections (2-4) with an average ratio of 100:27:29. Length 2.5-2.7 mm in male, 2.9-3.4 mm in female.
Colour: Frons matt, black but with slight sub-shine. Orbits shining adjoining frons, matt adjoining eye, ocellar triangle shining. Lunule slightly lighter than frons. Gena brownish with palpi black. Mesonotum blackish-grey, matt, with almost no coppery tone, abdomen black (slightly metallic in female). Calypter greyish, margin dark brown to black, fringe dark brown (some hairs may appear lighter). Legs dark, with 2 posterolateral setae on mid tibia.
Male genitalia: Surstylus possessing several long setae and spines on inner surface; basiphallus U-shaped; basal bladder of mesophallus with strong upward curvature; distiphallus with distinct patches of spiculae when viewed from above; distal tubule relatively short but strong.
Female genitalia: Egg guide acute apically, 5x as long as maximum width, medial membrane with numerous strong sensilla centrally between inner and outer margin, some fine scales present near outer margin apically.