100 More Species #43: Serpentine leaf-miner fly

[urbpan]

The animal itself is not visible, but the trail it made through the leaf helps identify the species.
Serpentine leaf-miner fly Ophiomyia quinta

There are at least three orders of insects "mine" plant leaves--moths, sawflies, and flies. Using the excellent field guide "Tracks and Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates" by Charley Eiseman and Noah Charney, I was able to suspect that this leaf was mined by a fly larva. I asked Charley Eiseman on facebook if the species O. quinta was the likely culprit, and he replied "Yes I would say so." Good enough for me.


Leaf-mining is a feeding method where the maggot or caterpillar lives between the layers of leaf epidermis, eating material and moving along, creating a distinctive colorless path. The larva is less exposed to predators and parasitoids, and has a readily available food source. I've named this fly the "serpentine" leaf-miner because that's the shape of its leaf mine, and the word "Ophio" meaning snake is in the genus name.


The dark line within the light leaf-mine is the larva's excrement.

You really really should get the field guide.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I think you're right--I should. How cool.

[plantmom.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. I'm tired and I read "the larva's excrement" as "the larva's excitement". Silly me. :P

[drhoz.livejournal.com]

What's in the Fullerdome?

Leaf-mining flies

[bugtracks.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

Thanks for the plug! The mine with the excrement trail is made by a different species of agromyzid fly--I don't know which one offhand. Also, the common name "serpentine leafminer" usually refers to one of the Liriomyza species that are common in gardens, but the description certainly applies to these mines too.

cool!

[dedhamoutdoors.livejournal.com]

I just ordered a copy! Maybe we could plan a walk and book signing in Dedham at some point!