AuthorSpencer, K.A.
Year1972
TitleDiptera: Agromyzidae
SeriesHandbooks for the Identification of British Insects
TypeBook/Report
How CompleteCovers the 313 British species known at the time
SourceHandbooks for the Identification of British Insects , Vol X. Part 5(g), 136pp, The Royal Entomological Society of London
Illustrations360 line drawings of mines and diagnostic features accompany the text
Review (by Malcolm Storey)

Dichotomous key to the adults, with species entries which describe the host(s), mine and immature stages. Tabulation of host plants at the back, each with the list of recorded Agromyzids and whereabouts in the plant the larva feeds.

Can be downloaded from the Royal Entomological Society website.

Errata, Corrigenda & CommentsFig 6 presented as *Hexomyza simplicoides* (aedeagus, ventral view) is reused as *H. cecidogena* in Spencer 1976!
Examine Stereo Microscope ( Compound Microscope is also useful)
Specimen Preparation

Dry specimens, male genitalia preps very useful.

Mines with puparia or pupal exuviae are also usually identifiable. Mines with larvae need rearing, at least to pupation, for confirmation but are often parasitised by chalcids or tiny ichneumon wasps.

Identification difficulty

Adults can be challenging.

Mines with puparia usually straightforward, although some spiracle characters require a good stereo microscope.

Website urlwww.royensoc.co.uk/publications/index.htm
Notes & PurposeStatusTaxonEnglishClassification
For identificationCurrentAGROMYZIDAEleaf-mining fliesAnimalia: Diptera
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