Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly
Liriomyza asclepiadis
This record describes Liriomyza asclepiadis (species). Recorded family: Agromyzidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
larvae: puparium pale, yellowish, posterior spiracles each with ellipse of about 10 bulbs : adult: Flickr parasitized by this Eulophidae
Wikipedia reference for Liriomyza asclepiadis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liriomyza_asclepiadis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Opomyzoidea
- Family
- Agromyzidae (Leaf Miner Flies)
- Subfamily
- Phytomyzinae
- Genus
- Liriomyza
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
ne US (IA-MD-NB-MN) (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts on Swamp Milkweed ( Asclepias incarnata ), Oval-leaf Milkweed ( A. ovalifolia ), Purple Milkweed ( A. purpurascens ), Prairie Milkweed ( A. sullivantii ), Showy Milkweed ( A. speciosa ), and Common Milkweed ( A. syriaca )
Life History
Larva forming small, predominantly regular blotch mine (fig. 794), with greenish diffused frass, pupating externally can be very abundant (tens of miners per plant) and produces splotch mines up to 4 cm2 on leaves
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Liriomyza asclepiadis. 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.
Photos of Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly
What is Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly?
Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly (Liriomyza asclepiadis) is a species in the family Agromyzidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly?
wing length 1.6-2 mm
How do you identify Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly?
larvae: puparium pale, yellowish, posterior spiracles each with ellipse of about 10 bulbs : adult: Flickr
Where is Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly found?
Range: ne US (IA-MD-NB-MN) (BG data)
What does Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly eat?
The diet of the Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly includes hosts on Swamp Milkweed ( Asclepias incarnata ), Oval-leaf Milkweed ( A. ovalifolia ), Purple Milkweed ( A. purpurascens ), Prairie Milkweed ( A. sullivantii ), Showy Milkweed ( A. speciosa ), and Common Milkweed ( A. syriaca ).
What is the life cycle of a Milkweed Leaf-Miner Fly?
Larva forming small, predominantly regular blotch mine (fig. 794), with greenish diffused frass, pupating externally can be very abundant (tens of miners per plant) and produces splotch mines up to 4 cm2 on leaves