DipteraAgromyzidae

Liriomyza puella

This record describes Liriomyza puella (species). Recorded family: Agromyzidae. Recorded order: Diptera.

Identification and Appearance

The larva of the Agromyzid fly Liriomyza puella mines the leaves of Nipplewort. The mine starts as a corridor which then expands into a blotch which is dark with white borders. The blotch mine is initially circular, or slightly elongated, but becomes irregular as the mine matures and turning brown with age. See the National Agromyzidae Recording Scheme webpage for this species for further details of puparium and adult insect. ref.: Warrington, B.P. (2023). Liriomyza puella . Accessed at https://agromyzidae.co.uk/species/agromyzidae/phytomyzinae/liriomyza/li… on 13/12/2023) Leafmine: Please provide a backlit photograph of the leafmine showing frass pattern and also state the host plant. Host Plants: Chicory , Nipplewort , Wall Lettuce 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. First discovered in the UK in 2010. Status unknown. 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: Liriomyza

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

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Host Plants:

Seasonal Activity

Click on the '

Diet and Behavior

Life History

Pupation is outside the mine.

Additional species information

Recorded status

First discovered in the UK in 2010. Status unknown.

About Flies: the wider group

Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Liriomyza puella. 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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