Pseudonapomyza spinosa

Pseudonapomyza spinosa Spencer, 1973

The species is very similar to Pseudonapomyza spicata but the male genitalia are distinct. The following information is mainly obtained from the original description (Spencer, 1973).

IMPORTANT CHARACTERS
Adults
Wing length: 1.3 - 1.6 mm. Two large dorsocentral bristles, sometimes just before the first dorsocentral bristle with an enlarged acrostichal hair which can be interpreted as a reduced dorsocentral bristle.
Immature stages
Posterior spiracles with 3-5 bulbs. On the segments lie characteristic rows of long setae.

BIONOMICS
Leaf mines are usually at the tips of leaves and several larvae can feed together, thus forming a substantial secondary blotch. Pupation takes place externally.

HOST PLANTS
Hordeum vulgare (barley), Triticum aestivum (wheat), Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn., most probably also other cereals and wild grasses.

DISTRIBUTION
Egypt, Nigeria, S. Africa, India, Australia, Micronesia, Samoa.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
In Egypt and possibly also in other regions Ps. spinosa occurs sympatrically with Pseudonapomyza spicata. It has to be established, which species causes greater damage.

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