Stem borer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Desmodium [0192]
| Order | Diptera |
|---|---|
| Family | Agromyzidae[T,L,P,A] |
| Lower taxon | undetermined |
| No. spp. involved | One confirmed |
| Feeding mode | Stem borer |
| Host plant | Tick-trefoils, Desmodium spp. (Fabaceae) |
Tunnels in stem of host; puparium formed internally. The morphology of the posterior spiracles of final-instar larva and puparium -- with their slender, almost needle-like horns and reddish spiracular plates positioned so close to each other that they may appear partly fused -- is unusual among internally pupating stem borer agromyzids observed in the current study.
IMG#: 0192-03
Larval tunnel in senescing stem of Desmodium sp. in autumn.
IMG#: 0192-01
Tunnel in dead stem in winter.
IMG#: 0192-02
Tunnel in dead stem in winter.
IMG#: 0192-07
Anterior end of larva from stem of Desmodium. (Photo date: September 20, 2022)
IMG#: 0192-08
Posterior end of larva from stem of Desmodium.
IMG#: 0192-05
Views of anterior end of larva, showing mouthhooks and anterior spiracles.
IMG#: 0192-06
Posterior spiracles of larva.
IMG#: 0192-09
Puparium overwintering in dead stem. (Photo date: April 11, 2023)
IMG#: 0192-10
Puparium overwintering in dead stem.
IMG#: 0192-31
Puparium.
IMG#: 0192-11
Puparium, lateral.
IMG#: 0192-12
Puparium, ventral.
IMG#: 0192-13
Anterior spiracle of puparium.
IMG#: 0192-14
Anterior spiracle of puparium.
IMG#: 0192-15
Anterior spiracles of puparium, front view.
IMG#: 0192-16
Posterior end of puparium, showing spiracular horns.
IMG#: 0192-17
Posterior spiracles of puparium.
IMG#: 0192-18
Posterior spiracles of puparium, rear view.
IMG#: 0192-19
Inhabited overwintering stem of Desmodium, with outermost layer of stem tissue removed approximately 8mm above location of puparium in stem, revealing exit hole prepared by larva prior to pupation.
IMG#: 0192-20
Exit hole prepared for adult-to-be by larva prior to pupation.
IMG#: 0192-21
Puparium in stem.
IMG#: 0192-22
Puparium in stem.
IMG#: 0192-23
Puparium, ventral.
IMG#: 0192-24
Posterior end of puparium, showing spiracular horns.
IMG#: 0192-25
Posterior spiracles of puparium.
IMG#: 0192-26
Posterior spiracles of puparium, rear view.
IMG#: 0192-27
Reared adult female, lateral. (Photo date: May 1, 2023)
IMG#: 0192-28
Reared adult female, dorsal.
IMG#: 0192-29
Abdomen of reared adult, dorsal.
IMG#: 0192-30
Abdomen of reared adult, lateral, showing faint bronze iridescence.
Specimen data for images
Coll. 01/19/22, photos on 01/20/22 (01-02); coll. 09/20/22, photos same day (03-06); coll. 04/11/23, photos of puparia same day (09-26, 31), adult em. 04/30/23, photos of adult on 05/01/23 (27-30).
References
[none]
Page created 12/09/23. Last update: 11/19/24