Vegetable Leaf Miner
Liriomyza sativae
This record describes Liriomyza sativae (species). Recorded family: Agromyzidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults principally yellow and black. Highly polyphagous. Considered a pest of some cultivated plants. Considered invasive in this country. (Capinera, John L. North American Vegetable Pests. The Pattern of Invasion. American Entomologist. Spring 2002)
Identification notes
Adults principally yellow and black.
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
Southern United States from Florida to California and in most of Central and South America. Occasionally farther north but it doesn't survive the cold. Also in Hawaii.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Plants from many families but seems toprefer those in Cucurbitaceae, Leguminosae, and Solanaceae. Stegmaier (1966)
Life History
White, elliptical eggs about 0.23 mm. Larvae three active instars, reddish brown puparium about 1.5 mm long
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Liriomyza sativae Blanchard, 1938
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Liriomyza sativae. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vegetable Leaf Miner
What is Vegetable Leaf Miner?
Vegetable Leaf Miner (Liriomyza sativae) is a species in the family Agromyzidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Vegetable Leaf Miner?
Wing length 1.25 to 1.7 mm, with males averaging about 1.3 mm and females about 1.5 mm.
How do you identify Vegetable Leaf Miner?
Adults principally yellow and black.
Where is Vegetable Leaf Miner found?
Range: Southern United States from Florida to California and in most of Central and South America. Occasionally farther north but it doesn't survive the cold. Also in Hawaii.
What does Vegetable Leaf Miner eat?
The diet of the Vegetable Leaf Miner includes Plants from many families but seems toprefer those in Cucurbitaceae, Leguminosae, and Solanaceae. Stegmaier (1966).
What is the life cycle of a Vegetable Leaf Miner?
White, elliptical eggs about 0.23 mm. Larvae three active instars, reddish brown puparium about 1.5 mm long