Calycomyza lantanae (Frick, 1956)
Leaf miner on Lantana, a plant which can be a weed, especially in those areas where it has been introduced (compare to Ophiomyia lantanae). As a species with relatively narrow host range, Cal. lantanae is sometimes discussed as potential control agent.
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS
Adults
Wing length: 1.25 - 2 mm. Frontorbits uniformly yellow, first and second antennal segments paler than black third segment. Squama with light margin.
Male terminalia
Anterodorsal corner of epandrium with some strong spines; surstyli broad, also covered with spines. Aedeagus with large appendices and strongly pigmented spherical terminal tubules.
Immature stages
Puparium reddish brown. As usual in this genus, posterior spiracles each with three bulbs (Spencer and Stegmaier, 1973). Larval mandibles with two mouth hooks each.
BIONOMICS
The larva is a leaf miner, generally producing blotch mines after an initial linear part. Pupation occurs externally.
HOST PLANTS
Verbenaceae: Lantana camara, probably also other Lantana species, Lippia helleri, Verbena litoralis.
DISTRIBUTION
Southern part of the USA: Florida, Texas; Bahamas, Trinidad, Venezuela, Argentina, probably unintentionally introduced to Indonesia, Malaya, Philippines (see literature tab).
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
As the other agromyzid species feeding on Lantana, the seed feeder Ophiomyia lantanae, Calycomyza lantanae is a possible candidate for introduction in those areas. Previous work confirmed the high host specificity of the species which is an important precondition of introduction in new areas (Harley and Kassulke, 1974). However, up to now, the potential of Cal. lantanae for reducing Lantana plants is not known.