Agromyza frontella (Rondani, 1875)
on Medicago, etc.
Medicago sativa, Beek-Ubbergen, 10.ix.2024 © Jochem Kuhnen
Medicago sativa, Hungary, Mosonmagyaróvár, 14.v.2012 © László Érsek: vacated mine
another specimen
Medicago sativa, Hungary, Darnózseli, 1.vii.2016, occupied mine
detail of the opened mine
alfalfa blotch leafminer
Trifolium pratense, Belgium, prov. Namur, Jemelle, 29.viii.2013 © Jean-Yves Baugnée
Trifolium repens, Belgium, prov. Liège, Angleur, Ourthe, 28.viii.2011 © Jean-Yves Baugnée
Trifolium spec., Flevoland, Reve-Abbertbos, 4.viii.2016 © Hans Jonkman
Medicago sativa, USA, Colorado © Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.com
mine
Upper-surface corridor, running irregularly through the leaf, widening considerably. Frass in the corridor part in a broad green central band, with minute black particles at either side. In the final, widened part frass in coarse black grains that may sometimes stick together. Pupation external.
host plants
Fabaceae, oligophagous
Astragalus onobrychis; Medicago carstiensis, falcata, lupulina, minima, sativa, x varia; Melilotus albus; Trifolium dubium, pratense.
Only exceptionally on Trifolium!
phenology
Larvae in May and July (Hering, 1957a).
BENELUX
BE recorded (Liège, Jean-Yves Baugnée).
NE recorded (Ellis).
LUX not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2007).
distribution within Europe
From Sweden to the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and Serbia, and from Britain to Belarus (Fauna Europaea, 2007); also Turkey (Civelek, Deeming & Önder, 2000a), Norway, Morocco (Černý & Merz, 2006a).
larva
Described by de Meijere (1925a), Spencer (1976b) and Dempewolf (2001a). Front spiraculum with 8-12 papillae; otherwise closely similar to A. nana.
synonyms
Domomyza frontella.
parasitoids, predators
notes
The species was accidentally introduced in the United States in 1968. Known as the Alfalfa blotch leafminer (or ABL) it is causing serious damage in alfalfa cultivation (Andersen, 2000a; Darvas, Skuhravá & Guppy, 1981a; Venette ao, 2007a). Also from Germany damage has been reported (Bollow, 1955a).
references
Andersen (200a), Banthorpe, Edmunds & Warrington (2020a), Beiger (1965a, 1970a, 1979a, 1989a), Benavent, Martínez, Moreno & Jiménez (2004a), Bland (2001a), Bollow (1955a), Buhr (1932a, 1964a), Černý (2001a, 2007a, 2009a, 2012a), Černý, Barták & Roháček (2004a), Černý & Merz (2006a, 2007a), Černý & Vála (1996a, 1999a), Černý, Vála & Barták (2001a), Çikman, Beyarslan & Civelek (2006a), Ci̇velek, Çikman & Dursun (2008a), Civelek, Deeming & Önder (2000a), Darvas, Skuhravá & Andersen (2000a) Dempewolf (2004a), Gil Ortiz (2009a), Guppy (1981a), Hartig (1939a), Hering (1924b, 1925b, 1936b, 1955b), Huber (1969a), Maček (1999a), Masetti, Lanzoni, Burgio & Süss (2004a), Michalska (1970a, 1972a, 1976a), Nowakowski (1954a), Ostrauskas, Pakalniškis & Taluntytė (2003a), Pakalniškis (1998a), Pakalniškis ao (2000a), Papp & Černý (2015a), Robbins (1991a), Rydén (1926a), Skala & Zavřel (1945a), Sønderup (1949a), Spencer (1959a, 1972a, 1973b, 1974a, 1976a), Stammer (2016a), von Tschirnhaus (1999a), Ureche (2010a), Vála & Rohacek (1983a), Venette ao (2007a), Zoerner (1969a).