Tropicomyia polyphyta (Kleinschmidt, 1961)
Identification of Tropicomyia species is very difficult. Many species differ only in very slight characters of the male aedeagus. Moreover, due to insufficient availability of type material the status of several species is not fully clarified. Hence in most cases an approximation to the species can only be achieved by the comparison of pictures of the male genitalia (see also Genus Tropicomyia) and, to some extend also the geographical range. Identification by external characters only is absolutely impossible.
Wing length: 1.7 mm (own measure), 1.4-1.6 (Spencer).
Puparium with light brown cuticle.
BIONOMICS
The epidermal mine is irregular, appearing silvery. Several larvae may be found in a single leaf and frequently the entire surface of a leaf can be mined (Spencer, 1973). There are numerous generations per year, the pupal period lasts from 18-20 days in late autumn but is shorter in the spring (Kleinschmidt, 1970).
HOST PLANTS
A highly polyphagous species, Spencer, 1990 listed 28 systematically quite distant plant families.
DISTRIBUTION
As far as known polyphyta is restricted to Australia, Papua New Guinea and Pacific islands (Spencer, 1990).
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
So far no outbreak was reported.