DipteraAgromyzidae

Amauromyza (Cephalomyza) verbasci

Amauromyza verbasci

This record describes Amauromyza verbasci (species). Recorded family: Agromyzidae. Recorded order: Diptera.

Identification and Appearance

Amauromyza (Cephalomyza) verbasci - Amauromyza verbasci

The larva of the fly Amauromyza verbasci causes a blotch mine on the upper surfaces of the leaves of Mullein, Common Figwort and Butterfly Bush . The mine is pale initially but turns brown later. Frass in sizeable dispersed grains. See the National Agromyzidae Recording Scheme website for further details of puparium and adult insect. ref:Warrington,B.P.(2023) Amauromyza verbasci.Accessed at https://agromyzidae.co.uk/species/agromyzidae/phytomyzinae/amauromyza-2/cephalomyza/cephalomyza-verbasci/ on 11/12/23 Please provide a back-lit image of the leafmine in the leaf and state the host plant. Leaf mines may be recorded wherever the host plants are found. Click on the ' further details ' link in the 'Description' section above. Then click on the Phenology tab which will provide phenology details for both adult and larval stages. The leafmines may be found between May and November. Warrington, B. P. 2022. A provisional review of the status of Agromyzidae in Great Britain & Northern Ireland

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Agromyzidae
Genus: Amauromyza

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Leaf mines may be recorded wherever the host plants are found.

Seasonal Activity

Click on the '

Additional species information

Recorded status

Local

About Flies: the wider group

Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Amauromyza verbasci. Species-specific details appear above.

Group overview

Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.

Ecological role of the group

Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.

Economic and practical significance of the group

In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.

Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.

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