Genera that may be confused with Liriomyza

The closely related genera Phytomyza (6 species in Australia), Chromatomyia (1 species in Australia) and Phytoliriomyza (21 species in Australia) (Elliott 2006), can generally be separated from Liriomyza by their proclinate (forward pointing) fronto-orbital setulae (always reclinate or occasionally upright or missing in Liriomyza), scutellum generally grey or black but occasionally slightly yellowish centrally (entirely yellow in most Liriomyza), and a distinct male genitalia. Phytoliriomyza species are gall-forming (on stem or leaf) internal feeders whereas Chromatomyia, Phytomyza and Liriomyza species are typically leafminers. In Phytomyza and Chromatomyia, the costa extends only to R₄₊₅ whereas in Phytoliriomyza and Liriomyza it extends to vein M (Spencer 1977).

The drosophilid, Scaptomyza flava, is recorded as a common leafminer on forage brassicas, vegetable brassicas and brassicaceous weeds in Tasmania (Hardy et al. 1979; Bock 1982), Victoria (Bjorksten et al. 2005) and New Zealand (Martin 2004, 2017). It can be distinguished from Liriomyza by the lack of incurved lower orbital bristles, uniformly pale body colour and characteristic male genitalia (Liriomyza with incurved (reclinate) lower orbital bristles present, body usually dark with scutellum yellow and characteristic male genitalia).

References

Bjorksten TA, Robinson M & La Salle J (2005). Species composition and population dynamics of leafmining flies and their parasitoids in Victoria. Australian Journal of Entomology 44, 186-191.

Bock IR (1982). Drosophilidae of Australia. V. Remaining Genera and Synopsis (Insecta : Diptera). Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series 89, 1-164.

Elliott MG (2006). Diptera: Cyclorrhapha: (Acalyptrata: Part): Agromyzidae. Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study, Canberra.
Viewed 22 January 2008. [ Link to Agromyzidae checklist ]

Hardy RJ, Terauds A, Rapley PEL, Williams MA, Ireson JE, Miller LA, Brieze-Stegeman & McQuillan PB (1979). Insect Pest Occurrences in Tasmania 1977-78. Insect Pest Survey 11. Tasmanian Department of Agriculture: Hobart.

Martin NA (2004). History of an invader, Scaptomyza flava (Fallen, 1823) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 31: 27-32.

Martin NA (2017). Turnip leafminer - Scaptomyza (Scaptomyza) flava. Interesting Insects and other Invertebrates. New Zealand Arthropod Factsheet Series Number 92. Fact Sheet Date Accessed 2021-01-02. ISSN 1179-643X.

Spencer KA (1977). A revision of the Australian Agromyzidae (Diptera). Special  Publication. Western Australian Museum 8: 1-255.

Updated
2021-01-01

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