Melanagromyza sp. 1

Material examined. IOWA: Winneshiek Co., Malanaphy Springs, 18.ii.2017, em. 13.vi.2017, J. van der Linden, ex Polymnia, #CSE3881, CNC940112 (1♀) .

Host. Asteraceae: Polymnia canadensis L.

Larval biology. Internal stem borer.

Puparium. Formed within the stem.

Comments. This female belongs to the Melanagromyza virens group and is most similar to M. vernoniae Steyskal, a stem borer of Vernonia noveboracensis known from DC and MD, but a male specimen would be needed for positive identification. No Melanagromyza is known from Polymnia L.; the Venezuelan M. polymniae Spencer is recorded from “ Polymnia riparia ” (Spencer 1990) but this plant is now treated as Smallanthus riparius (Kunth) H. Rob.