Chromatomyia asteris (Hendel, 1934)

mine

Initially lower-surface, later upper-surface corridor, not appreciably widening towards the end. Corridor often strongly contorted. Frass in rather coarse grains, irregularly scattered. Pupation in the mine. The puparium is white, its front spiracula penetrate the plant’s epidermis.

host plants

Narrowly monophagous

Tripolium pannonicum subsp. tripolium.

phenology

Larvae in June-July (Hering, 1957a).

BENELUX

BE recorded (Collart, 1942a).

NE recorded (Kabos, 1971a).

LUX not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2007).

distribution within Europe

From Sweden to the Pyrenees, Alps and Slovenia, and from Ireland to Poland (Fauna Europaea, 2007).

larva

Described by de Meijere (1926a [as Phytomyza sp. on Aster tripolium], 1928a, 1934a [as Ph. tenella]) and Griffiths (1976c). Rear spiraculum with 28-33 papillae.

synonyms

Often confused with Phytomyza tenella Meigen, 1830.

notes

As is known now, the larvae of Ph. tenella live in the developing fruits of Pedicularis. The reference by Kabos (1971a) to “tenella” as a very common miner on Aster tripolium clearly refers to Ch. asteris. Also de Meijere (1924a) mentions tenella as occurring in the Netherlands; he cites no hostplants, but the localities mentioned by him are so far from the coast that it very improbable that this reference concerns Ch. asteris.

See von Tschirnhaus (1981a) for the ecology of asteris.

references

Beuk (2002a, Bland (1994b,c), De Bruyn & von Tschirnhaus (1991a), Collart (1942a), Griffiths (1976c), Hering (1957a), Kabos (1971a), Maček (1999a), de Meijere (1924a, 1926a, 1928a, 1934a), Sønderup (1949a), Spencer (1954a, 1972a, 1976a), von Tschirnhaus (1981a, 1999a), Vála & Rohacek (1983a), Warrington (2022d), Zoerner (1970a).