Liriomyza marginalis (Malloch, 1913)
DIAGNOSIS
According to Spencer, 1973 color of mesonotum highly variable but always yellow centrally adjoining scutellum.
Tip of epandrium broad as in the figure (Lir marginalis genitalia.pct).
A further character is the unusual shape of the larval anterior spiracles.
However, identification might be not easy since many other species occur on those grass species in the region where also marginalis lives.
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS
Adults
Wing length: 1.6 - 2 mm. Arista rather long but shorter than head. First two dorsocentral bristles very small. Last pair of acrostichal (on yellow cuticle) medioclinate. Anepisternum extensively yellow. Katepisternum light brown with wide yellow dorsal margin. Tibiae and tarsi are light brown, somewhat darker than the yellow femora. Abdomen dark without yellow stripes, but with variable yellow patches on the last three tergites.
Immature stages
Puparium pale yellowish-brown, anterior spiracles long, black, divided distally (Lir marginalis an sp Sp.pct); posterior spiracles arising from rounded projection, each with 3 pores (Spencer, 1973).
BIONOMICS
Leaf miner in the leaf blades of grasses.
HOST PLANTS
Avena sativa L. (oat), probably other cereals: Panicum miliaceum L. (millet), Paspalum, probably on other wild grasses.
DISTRIBUTION
Records from USA (Florida, South Carolina), Caribbean: Bahamas, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Jamaica: South America: Brazil, Peru.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
A case of damage on cultivated plants were reported only by Spencer, 1973. He found the larvae mining on very young plants and concluded the species may be dangerous if the population density was high.