Characters with associated states and some annotations
Main key (Agromyzidae ID)
Acrostichals (direction)
[0] Unknown
[1] partly posteriorly medioclinate
[2] all directed posteriorly
[3] post. perhaps weakly medioclinate
Acrostichals betw. dorsocentrals
[0] Unknown
[1] rather 4 rows
[2] numerous (distinctly more than 4 rows)
[3] absent
[4] sparse (less than 4 rows)
Anepisternum (color)
[0] Unknown
[1] extensively lightish mainly at margins
[2] uniformly dark (except margins)
[3] mainly yellow or white
[4] yellow at least at dorsal half
[5] irregularly light and dark
A less reliable character, because of the indistinctness of the states. An identification should not be based on this character alone. State [2] means, anepisternum uniformly dark, maybe with some lightish margins.
Antennal segment 2 - color
[0] Unknown
[1] concolorous with 3rd segment
[2] lighter than 3rd segment
[3] dark
[4] yellow or light
[5] darker than 3rd segment
A less reliable character, because of the indistinctness of the states. An identification should not be based on this character alone.
Antennal segment 3 - shape
[0] Unknown
[1] rounded
[2] with spine or projection
[3] angulate dorsally
Third antennal segment in most cases rounded, angulate shaped occur mainly in Genus Pseudonapomyza (_ Ps atra antenna.pct) and some Cerodontha. For further subdivision of species with angulate antennal segments, pictures are available in the species module.
Antennal segment 3 - color
[0] Unknown
[1] light brown
[2] yellow
[3] dark
Antennal segment 3 in male
[0] Unknown
[1] enlarged
[2] equal in size as female
Arista (length)
[0] Unknown
[1] almost as long as head (from lateral)
[2] distinctly shorter than head
In doubtful cases the character should be skipped.
Arista (tip)
[0] Unknown
[1] thin apical section shorter than base
[2] thin apical section longer than base
[3] thin apical section as long as base
If the division of the arista is anyhow visible Character state [1] should be the normal condition among Agromyzidae. The interesting state is without doubt [2] which occurs in some Chromatomyia (von Tschirnhaus). In other taxa the character was not entered. Thus, the character should be applied only if there is some evidence that the specimen at hand belong to genus Napomyza, genus Phytomyza and genus Chromatomyia (the Phytomyza-group).
Body: light sections (fresh material)
[0] Unknown
[1] bright yellow
[2] rather whitish and light brown
[3] no larger lightish sections
Body coloration
[0] Unknown
[1] black or brown
[2] black and light sections
[3] black with metallic sheen
[4] mainly yellow
Observation of the metallic sheen [3], occurring mainly in genus Melanagromyza and genus Japanagromyza, can be difficult under alcohol.
Dorsocentral bristles (on each side)
[0] Unknown
[1] 2
[2] 4
[3] 5
[4] 6
[5] 3
The total number of dorsocentral bristles, in many species quite variable.
Dorsocentral bristles (size)
[0] Unknown
[1] gradually increasing in size
[2] of approx. equal size
[3] weakly increasing in size
[4] not much longer than acr
[5] posterior one longest
[6] posterior two larger
[0] Unknown
[1] 1
[2] 3
[3] 0
[4] 2
The dorsocentral bristles before the thoracic suture, as indicated on the picture.
Eye (contrasting dark frame)
[0] Unknown
[1] entirely surrounded by a dark frame
[2] dark frame incomplete
[3] head laterally almost entirely dark
[4] only occiput darkened
[5] head lat. entirely lightish
Obviously the character is useful for species with light head. The specimens should be in good condition and not be wrinkled.
Eye (posterodorsal margin)
[0] Unknown
[1] dark
[2] yellow (except narrow frame of eye)
[3] weakly darkened
Most species are more or less darkened.
[0] Unknown
[1] distinct
[2] absent
[3] betw. ant. thickened
[4] inconspicuous
Except state [3] the states are rather indistinct and a matter of interpretation. The material should be in good condition.
Frons (color)
[0] Unknown
[1] brownish or dark
[2] light
Frons (oc. triangle/shape)
[0] Unknown
[1] Oc. triangle extended anteriorly
[2] little extended before ocelli
Frons (width at ocellar position)
[0] Unknown
[1] about twice as broad as eye
[2] about as broad as eye
[3] more than twice as broad as eye
[4] broader than eye
[5] narrower than eye
Strictly from dorsal view!
[0] Unknown
[1] widest at dorsal part
[2] nearly parallel sided
[3] widest at apical part
Frontorbital bristle (upper one)
[0] Unknown
[1] on dark patch
[2] ground concolorous with surrounding
Frontorbital bristles (male)
[0] Unknown
[1] only 2 bristles
[2] same number as in females
Frontorbital bristles (medioclinate)
[0] Unknown
[1] 1
[2] 6
[3] 2
[4] 5
[5] 7
[6] 4
[7] 0
[8] 3
These are basically the lower frontorbital bristles, the "ori" as referred to in the literature. Here they are a little bit wider interpreted since some of the upper frontorbital bristles are sometimes also weakly inwards directed.
Frontorbital bristles (on each side)
[0] Unknown
[1] 4
[2] 7
[3] 6
[4] 8
[5] 3
[6] 5
[7] 2
The total number of frontorbital bristles, in many groups variable.
Frontorbital s. (direction)
[0] Unknown
[1] mainly reclinate
[2] mainly proclinate
[3] mainly upright
A classical character for identifying mainly species of genus Phytomyza, genus Napomyza and genus Chromatomyia. However, there are some exceptions in other genera.
Frontorbital s. (number)
[0] Unknown
[1] more or less a single row
[2] numerous
[3] apically more than a row
Frontorbital s. (sexual dimorph.)
[0] Unknown
[1] no dimorphism
[2] much more setulae in male
Frontorbital s. (size)
[0] Unknown
[1] minute (relative to orbital bristles)
[2] up to 1/3 as long as bristles
Frontorbits (color)
[0] Unknown
[1] both yellow and dark
[2] completely dark
[3] completely yellow or white
[4] light
[5] irregular darkish
Frontorbits (profile)
[0] Unknown
[1] strongly projecting above eyes
[2] weakly projecting above eyes
[3] hardly projecting above eyes
[4] well projecting above eyes
[0] Unknown
[1] light brown
[2] nearly as dark as occiput
[3] partly lightish
[4] yellow or white
Genae (edge)
[0] Unknown
[1] dark contrasting to yellow gena
[2] no contrasting edge
This character requires good material, preferably in alcohol.
Genae (size)
[0] Unknown
[1] normal
[2] very short
[3] rather large
Halteres (color)
[0] Unknown
[1] dark
[2] completely light
[3] partly lightish
Character state [1] is mainly restricted to the Ophiomyia-group (tribe Ophiomyiini).
Head (lateral view)
[0] Unknown
[1] rather circular
[2] rather semicircular
[0] Unknown
[1] dark
[2] at least partly yellow
Inner vertical bristle (ivb)
[0] Unknown
[1] on dark ground
[2] on light ground
[3] on border betw. dark and light cut.
Inner vertical bristle (position)
[0] Unknown
[1] as close to eye margin as ovb
[2] more distant to eye margin than ovb
[1] occurs mainly in the tribe Ophiomyiini, caution!
Katepisternum (color)
[0] Unknown
[1] yellow dorsal section
[2] mainly dark
[3] yellow
Legs - 2nd Tibiae
[0] Unknown
[1] with 2-3 posteromedian spines
[2] without median spines
[3] with 1 posteromedian spine
Legs - color of Tibiae
[0] Unknown
[1] dark brown or black
[2] yellow
[3] light brown
[4] darkish
Legs - color of Femora
[0] Unknown
[1] dark (except apices)
[2] yellow or lightish (except apices)
[3] completely yellow
[4] dark
[5] yellow with brownish striations
[6] irregular darkish
[7] dark restricted to basal half
Character states [1,2] mean: completely dark and yellow respectively with either slightly different apices or not.
Legs - fore knees
[0] Unknown
[1] lighter than subsequent knees
[2] concolorous with other knees
Lunule (color appearance)
[0] Unknown
[1] silvery
[2] dark
[3] light brown or yellow
[4] concolorous with frons
State [1] can occur at both, light or dark lunulae.
Lunule (shape)
[0] Unknown
[1] more or less semicircular
[2] narrow
Mesonotum (along the edge to scut.)
[0] Unknown
[1] dark
[2] yellow centrally adjoining to scut.
Mesonotum (color)
[0] Unknown
[1] dark (perhaps lighter at sides)
[2] dark (yellow at sides)
[3] yellow with dark bands
Mesonotum (surface)
[0] Unknown
[1] shining
[2] subshining
[3] mat (densely pubescent)
[4] with metallic sheen
State [4] does not rule out the selection of other character states. Metallic sheen occurs within genus Japanagromyza.
[0] Unknown
[1] 2
[2] 1
Outer vertical bristle (ovb)
[0] Unknown
[1] on dark ground
[2] on border of yellow and dark cut.
[3] on yellow (light) ground
[0] Unknown
[1] absent
[2] 1 on each side
[3] more than one on each side
[0] Unknown
[1] heavily elongated
[0] Unknown
[1] 1 on each side
[2] 2 on each side
Scutellum (color)
[0] Unknown
[1] mainly yellow
[2] dark
[3] partly yellow
[0] Unknown
[1] light margin
[2] margin at least partly darkened
Caution with old material!
Strid. mechanism (in Agromyza)
[0] Unknown
[1] scales gradually enlarged
[2] scales of equal size
[0] Unknown
[1] absent
[2] on lower margin of abd. tergites 1/2
[3] males: betw. abd. terg. and stern.
The stridulation mechanism is explained and illustrated in the morphology section. For identification of the genus Agromyza, where the stridulation mechanism as in state [2] occurs, the character is quite useful but the other type [3] occurring in genus Liriomyza is difficult to find, especially in dry material.
[0] Unknown
[1] darkish
[2] whitish or yellow
Tergites - color
[0] Unknown
[1] dark; between terg. some light stripes
[2] dark; segm. partly reddish
[3] completely dark
[4] laterally partly yellow
[5] yellowish or light brown
Tergites - surface
[0] Unknown
[1] subshining
[2] mat
[3] metallic sheen
[4] shining
Vibrissal fasciculus (male)
[0] Unknown
[1] present
[2] absent
Wing - R4+5
[0] Unknown
[1] much shorter than wing
[2] of nearly equal length
Wing - apex
[0] Unknown
[1] rather at the end of vein R4+5
[2] rather at the end of vein M1+2
[3] between M1+2 and R4+5
Wing - costa
[0] Unknown
[1] ending at R4+5
[2] extending to M1+2
[3] 'passing R4+5; ending before M1+2'
Wing - vein R1+Sc
[0] Unknown
[1] subapically somewhat thickened
[2] apically thickened
[3] not or almost not thickened
The classical character for separating the two subfamilies Agromyzinae and Phytomyzinae. Character state [1] only occurs within the genus Phytobia, which is rarely found as imago. Confusions should not be a problem.
Wing - vein mm
[0] Unknown
[1] missing
[2] basally shifted
[3] normal
[4] vestigial
Wing - vein rm
[0] Unknown
[1] shifted basally
[2] normal
Wing vein pigmentation
[0] Unknown
[1] equal
[2] weakly pigm. from M downwards
State occurs mainly within genus Phytomyza, genus Chromatomyia, genus Napomyza and genus Pseudonapomyza. Therefore it is in most cases connected with reduced or basally shifted crossveins r-m and m2.
bio: host plants
[0] Unknown
[1] grasses and cereals
[2] others
bio: larv. feeding habit - last instar
[0] Unknown
[1] leaf miner
[2] pod or seed feeder
[3] external stem or root miner
[4] stem pith or root borer
[5] cambium feeder
[7] flower head feeder
Some stem miners initially start feeding in the leaves, here they have to be nevertheless regarded as stem miners. There is furthermore some overlap between some feeding habits, especially petiole and leaf miner. In the case of any doubt both character states should be marked.
bio: larv. ovip. (stem miners only)
[0] Unknown
[1] into leaves
[2] directly into stems
This character is linked only to the small fraction of stem miners with well-known biology.
bio: leaf mine
[0] Unknown
[1] epidermal
[2] near vascular tissues
[3] not so
State [3] is to describe the normal leaf mines without further peculiarity.
bio: pupation site
[0] Unknown
[1] completely within the mine or tunnel
[2] outside the mine
State [2] means the puparium can be in the litter or soil but also might stick at the host plant outside the mine.
bio: pupation site 2 (some Mel. only)
[0] Unknown
[1] in the seed
[2] in the plant outside the seed
imm: basal part of ceph.
[0] Unknown
[1] as in the pictures (Agromyzinae)
[2] as in the pictures (Phytomyzinae)
imm: larval body
[0] Unknown
[1] 'very slender; up to 2 cm long'
imm: larval mandibles
[0] Unknown
[1] strong with enlarged mouth hooks
[2] serrated
[3] with numerous mouth hooks
[4] with only 3-4 equal mouth hooks
imm: mandibles - relation
[0] Unknown
[1] almost equal in size
[2] left larger
[3] right larger
imm: open Puparium
[0] Unknown
[1] Operculum with longitudinal slit
[2] Operculum without longitudinal slit
m: basiphallus
[0] Unknown
[1] side sclerites long and pronounced
[2] side sclerites short
[3] side sclerites long invisible
m: basiphallus (Ophiomyiini)
[0] Unknown
[1] asymmetrical
[2] appearing askew
m: cerci
[0] Unknown
[1] long and broad
[2] long
[3] rather normal
m: distiphallus
[0] Unknown
[1] very long and slender
[2] with subbasal vesica
[3] with broad tubules as in the figure
[4] tubules apically diverging
[5] tip narrow and well visible (Nap.)
[6] tubules indistinct or unclear (Chr.)
[7] as in the figure (L. huidob.)
[8] exactly as in the figure (Ph. rufipes)
m: distiphallus/structure
[0] Unknown
[1] 2 terminal tubules visible
[2] 2 terminal tubules not visible
[0] Unknown
[1] apical part rounded and broad
[2] apical part wider than long
[3] apical part longer than wide
m: ep. outstanding patch of bristles
[0] Unknown
[1] apical patch of bristles or thorns
m: epandrium/shape
[0] Unknown
[1] long
[2] rather short
m: gonites/appearance
[0] Unknown
[1] at base merged with aed. apodeme
[2] developed as vertical layer within ep.
[3] 'large; stick-like'
[4] thin and hardly visible
[0] Unknown
[1] present
[2] absent
[0] Unknown
[1] thin
[2] rather thick
[0] Unknown
[1] present
The processus longus is a well known apomorphy of the genus Cerodontha (see Nowakowski, 1973).
m: surstyli
[0] Unknown
[1] articulated
[2] fused or missing
m: surstyli (articulated)
[0] Unknown
[1] in ventral position (lir..)
m: surstyli (only fused)
[0] Unknown
[1] long and straight
[2] bent downwards
[3] rather short and broad
[4] triangular and broad
[5] not so
m: vesica of ejaculatory apodeme
[0] Unknown
[1] strongly enlarged and sclerotized