Liriomyza blechi Spencer

(Fig. 136)

Material examined. FLORIDA: Madison Co., Greenville, 24.iii.2013, em. 23.iv.2013, C.S. Eiseman, ex Plantago virginica, #CSE341, CNC392945, CNC392946 (1♂ 1♀) .

Hosts. Acanthaceae: Ruellia blechum L., Boraginaceae: Heliotropium curassavicum L., Loganiaceae: Spigelia anthelmia L., Plantaginaceae: Plantago * virginica L., Verbenaceae: Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene (Stegmaier 1967c; Spencer & Steyskal 1986).

Leaf mine. (Fig. 136) According to Spencer & Stegmaier (1973), a number of larvae fed together on Ruellia blechum, “forming a mine primarily along the mid rib with irregular extensions into the leaf blade.” Spencer & Steyskal (1986) described the mine on the same host as “an irregular blotch, normally but not exclusively associated with the midrib or one of the lateral veins.” The mines we found on Plantago virginica were irregular whitish blotches. One leaf contained a single mine with two larvae, possibly originating in separate mines. Another leaf had three separate mines. Three of these four mines crossed the midrib, but none of them followed it or otherwise reacted to it in any perceptible way. The frass was in discrete black grains and occasional small lumps.

Puparium. Brown, formed within the leaf, with the anterior spiracles projecting through the epidermis (Spencer & Stegmaier 1973).

Distribution. USA: DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, MD, MI, MS, NY, OH, PA, SC, SD, TX, VA, WV; Canada: AB, NL, ON, QC; Bermuda; Bolivia; Brazil; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Guadeloupe; Martinique.

Comments. Liriomyza blechi is a widespread species with a characteristically striped scutum, and the unusual setal characters of sparsely haired eyes, inclinate posteromedial acrostichal setulae and a posteromedial seta on the mid tibia.