Cerodontha atra (Meigen, 1830)

mine

Lower-surface corridor in the top half the leaf blade; the mine changes direction at least two times. One to three larvae in a mine. Frass in rather regular granules. Pupation mostly outside the mine.

hostplants

Poaceae, narrowly oligophagous

Agrostis stolonifera; Calamagrostis epigeios.

Preference for arid situations. Records from other hostplants refer to other Cerodontha species (Nowakowski, 1973a); records in particular from Phragmites refer to C. phragmitidis Nowakowski.

phenology

Larvae in July-August (Nowakowski, 1973a).

BENELUX

BE recorded (Scheirs, De Bruyn & von Tschirnhaus, 1995a).

NE Although this species is mentioned as occurring in the Netherlands by de Meijere (1925a, 1939a), and, probably in his lead, also by Beuk (2002a) and Fauna Europaea (2007), it is evident that de Meijere, like Hering and Hendel, understood under this name the species that now is the common C. phragmitidis. Reliable records of C. atra from the Netherlands are unknown to me.

LUX not recorded (Fauna Europaea, 2007).

distribution within Europe

All of Europe (Fauna Europaea, 2007).

larva

Larva and puparium are described by Nowakowski (1973a); rear spiraculum spine-like.

The description of the larva by de Meijere (1925a) is based on material from Phragmites, and therefore refers to C. phragmitidis.

synonyms

Phytobia atra; Agromyza infinita Becker, 1910; Agromyza nigroscutellata Strobl, 1910 [nec Strobl, 1900].

notes

Member of the subgenus Poemyza (Nowakowski, 1973a).

van Frankenhuyzen, Houtman & Kabos (1982a) mention as a Dutch species “Dizygomyza atra (Meigen)”, that would live on Phalaris and Phragmites. It is impossible to guess what they had before them; certainly not Cerodontha atra.

references

Andersen (2012a), Andersen & Jonassen (1994a), Beuk (2002a), Černý (2001a, 2007a), Černý, Barták & Roháček (2004a), Černý & Merz (2006a, 2007a), Černý & Vála (1999a), Černý, Vála & Barták (2001a), van Frankenhuyzen, Houtman & Kabos (1982a), Kabos (1971a), Martinez (1987a), de Meijere (1925a, 1939a), Nowakowski (1973a), Pakalniškis (1986a, 1990a, 1998a), Papp & Černý (2016a), Sasakawa (1961a), Scheirs, De Bruyn & von Tschirnhaus (1995a, 1996a, 1999a), Spencer (1972a, 1976a), Starke (1942a), Vála & Rohacek (1983a), Withers (2007a), Zlobin (1986a).