Phytomyza aquilegiae is a fly whose larvae mine the leaves of Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) and some related species. The mine is a large blotch on the upper surface of the leaf, sometimes occupied by several larvae. Frass is scattered throughout the mine. The mine is often purple-brown and without a preceding corridor. Leaves can sometimes be largely destroyed by the size of the mine.

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

ref.: Warrington, B.P. (2023).  Phytomyza aquilegiae. Accessed at https://agromyzidae.co.uk/species/agromyzidae/phytomyzinae/phytomyza/phytomyza-aquilegiae/ on 13/12/2023)

Leafmine Adult

Leafmine: Please provide a photograph and state the host plant.

Host plants: Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) and on other Aquilegia and Thalictrum (Meadow-rue) species.

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 may be found between May and November.

Widespread, though sometimes local in Britain, and often found mining garden plants.

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

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.