Melanagromyza limata

Family

Subfamily

Genus

Species

Melanagromyza limata Spencer, 1971

Mine

N/A. An internal stem-borer, with pupariation internal.

Host Plants

• Heracleum
• Stachys

Confusion Species

Melanagromyza angeliciphaga, Napomyza carotae.

Recording Grade

4

National Status

pExtinct.

Puparium

As type material are not reared specimens, puparium description is based upon the details provided by Koçak and Sasakawa (2011); brownish-yellow, posterior spiracles yellow at the base, otherwise dark brown, separated, each with an ellipse of 9-10 bulbs around a short central horn. However, owing to the adult morphology described by Koçak and Sasakawa, there is a possibility that their material is an undescribed species, misidentified as M. limata on the grounds of the host plant and similar genitalia (Warrington 2019).

Adult

Head: Frons 2.1x as wide as eye, orbits distinctly projecting above eye in profile. 2 ors, 3 (4 on one side of holotype) ori, orbital setulae entirely proclinate, thick, numerous and long. Ocellar triangle reaching to level of lower ors. Orbits relatively broad; lunule broad, higher than semi-circle, sometimes with a slight central furrow. Gena deeper in centre below eye, 0.33x as high as eye. Third antennal segment rounded with short pubescence. Arista long, fine but distinctly thickened near base.
Mesonotum: 2 strong dc; acr in 8-10 rows, reducing to 6-8 at level of first dc. Second dc well behind level of supra-alar seta (sa). 1-4 scutellar setulae may be present near lateral scutellar seta (Michael von Tschirnhaus pers. obs.).
Wing: Hyaline, veins brownish. Ultimate section of vein M₄ 0.66 (average) length of penultimate. Costal sections (2-4) with an average ratio of 100:23:18. Length 2.8 mm in male, 3.1 mm in female.
Colour: Frons matt black with mesonotum weakly metallic when viewed from rear, matt when viewed from front. Abdomen distinctly shining, greenish-black, more so in female. Calypter greyish-white, margin brownish, fringe pale to ochreous. Legs dark, with 1 or 2 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 distinct dark area distally; almost no spiculae when viewed from above; distal tubule weak and short.
Female genitalia: Unknown.

Additional information

Taken from Warrington 2024:

This species has not been recorded in Great Britain since it was described.  Spencer (1990) gave Heracleum as the host but this is not confirmed.  A Ph.D student who reportedly reared it from this host may have mixed up plant material or misinterpreted comments made to him by Spencer (Michael von Tschirnhaus pers. comm.).  Spencer (1971a) drew attention to the fact that although there was no evidence as to the host of the species, it should be noted that Lycopus europaeus was growing in some profusion where the type specimens were obtained.