Melanagromyza galegae

Family

Subfamily

Genus

Species

Melanagromyza galegae Warrington, 2019

Mine

N/A. An internal stem-borer. Although not known in detail, based on examination of the feeding channels, it is assumed that oviposition takes place in the stem on young plants, between ground level and the second node, during May/June. The larva feeds within the stem in an upward or downward direction, with pupariation occurring consistently at the level of the first node. One larva per stem, two puparia rarely encountered in the same plant.

Host Plants

• Galega

Confusion Species

Melanagromyza fabae.

Recording Grade

4

National Status

Unknown.

Puparium

Orangey-yellow; posterior spiracles almost adjoining, each with an ellipse of 15-20 elongate bulbs around a strong central horn. Length from 2.8mm in male to 3.6mm in female.

Adult

Head: Frons 1.5x as wide as eye, orbits slightly projecting above eye in profile, with 2 strong reclinate ors, the lower being slightly shorter and sometimes partially incurved, with 3 strong, incurved ori. Occasionally, there may be a fourth, much smaller, ori present. Orbital setulae long, numerous and entirely proclinate (very rarely one or two setae may be erect), in a single row at level of ors, which increases to two rows between lower ors and upper ori. Eye in male with conspicuous patch of white pubescence at level of ors; in female, the pubescence is short and sparse or totally absent. Gena slightly deeper below centre of eye, 0.25-0.33x as high as eye. Cheek forming a distinct ring below eye. Orbits wide; lunule broad, semi-circular, rarely with a slight central furrow. Ocellar triangle reaching to level of lower ors. Third antennal segment small, rounded, with short pubescence, not longer than the basal section of the arista.
Mesonotum: 2 strong dc; acr in 10 rows at front, reducing to 4-5 rows at level of first dc. No setulae detected on or at the side of the scutellum.
Wing: Hyaline, costa extending to vein M₁₊₂. All veins ochre-brown. Ultimate section of vein M₄ 0.85 (average) that of the penultimate. Costal sections (2-4) with an average ratio of 100:27:23. Length 2.0-2.2 mm in male, 2.3-2.6 mm in female.
Colour: Frons matt black, with a slight grey tinge, rarely noticeably darker adjoining lunule. Orbits and ocellar triangle only moderately shining, paler than frons. Lunule lighter than frons, grey-black. Gena blackish-brown, palpi black. Mesonotum matt, greyish-black but with a distinct coppery-green shine. Abdomen weakly to moderately shining, greenish, more so in female. Calypter grey, with margin dark brown (very rarely paler or extremely dark brown, almost black), fringe rather pale, ochreous, the hairs dark basally but becoming paler. Legs all black, with 2 posterolateral setae on mid tibia (not noted in original description).
Male genitalia: Surstylus possessing a small group of long setae and several spines on inner surface; basiphallus U-shaped; basal bladder of mesophallus with slight upward curvature; distiphallus with distinct areas of spiculae when viewed from above; distal tubule relatively short.
Female genitalia: Egg guide acute apically, 5.0-5.3x as long as maximum width, medial membrane with numerous sensilla centrally to inner margin, not reaching outer margin or tip.