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.

Liriomyza sonchi

ref.: Warrington, B.P. (2023).  Liriomyza puella. Accessed at https://agromyzidae.co.uk/species/agromyzidae/phytomyzinae/liriomyza/li… on 13/12/2023)

Leafmine Adult

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.

Leafmine: June-July to October.

Pupation is outside the mine.

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

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.