DipteraAgromyzidae

Cerodontha (Dizygomyza) iridis

Cerodontha iridis

This record describes Cerodontha iridis (species). Recorded family: Agromyzidae. Recorded order: Diptera.

Identification and Appearance

Cerodontha (Dizygomyza) iridis - Cerodontha iridis

The larva form a blotch mine on the leaves on Stinking Iris ( I ris foetidissima ). The affected area may be large as several mines may coalesce. The mine has a mottled greenish appearance. See the National Agromyzidae Recording Scheme webpage for this species for further details of puparium and adult insect (ref.: Warrington, B.P. (2023). Cerodontha (Dizygomyza) iridis. Accessed at https://agromyzidae.co.uk/species/agromyzidae/phytomyzinae/cerodontha/dizygomyza/dizygomyza-iridis/ on 12/12/2023). Provide backlit photographs of the whole leaf-mine in the leaf, and the larva, and note the host plant. 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. Leafmines may be found in most months of the year. 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: Cerodontha

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

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Where the larval host plants occur.

Seasonal Activity

Click on the '

Additional species information

Recorded status

Local

About Flies: the wider group

Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Cerodontha iridis. 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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