Serpentine leaf miner
Liriomyza brassicae
This record describes Liriomyza brassicae (species). Recorded family: Agromyzidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Considered invasive in this country. (Capinera, John L. North American Vegetable Pests. The Pattern of Invasion. American Entomologist. Spring 2002)
Wikipedia reference for Liriomyza brassicae: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpentine_leaf_miner.
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
Cosmopolitan
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on Brassicaceae and several other families
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Liriomyza brassicae. 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 Serpentine leaf miner (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Frequently Asked Questions About Serpentine leaf miner
What is Serpentine leaf miner?
Serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza brassicae) is a species in the family Agromyzidae, within the order Diptera.
Where is Serpentine leaf miner found?
Range: Cosmopolitan
What does Serpentine leaf miner eat?
The diet of the Serpentine leaf miner includes Larvae feed on Brassicaceae and several other families.