The larva of the Chromatomyia centaurii mine the upper surface leaves of Common Centaury.  The mine starts as a gallery, but this is then commonly engulfed by the blotch that then follows. This mine is typically in a basal leaf, near to the ground, but may also move into the stem.

See the National Agromyzidae Recording Scheme webpage for this species for further details of puparium and adult insect.

ref.: Warrington, B.P. (2023).  Chromatomyia centaurii. Accessed at https://agromyzidae.co.uk/species/agromyzidae/phytomyzinae/chromatomyia/chromatomyia-centaurii/ on 13/12/2023)

There are no other mines on Common Centaury that could be confused with this one.

Leafmine Adult

Please provide image(s) to support your record and state the host plant.

May be encountered where the host plant grows.

Host plant(s): Common Centaury

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.

The leafmines are typically seen from April to September.

The larva pupates in the leafmine and the spiracles protrude through the upper epidermis.

Nationally Scarce A

Warrington, B. P. 2022. A provisional review of the status of Agromyzidae in Great Britain & Northern Ireland

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.