Phytomyza palmeri Eiseman & Lonsdale

Eiseman, Charles S., Lonsdale, Owen, Linden, John Van Der, Feldman, Tracy S. & Palmer, Michael W., 2021, Thirteen new species of Agromyzidae (Diptera) from the United States, with new host and distribution records for 32 additional species, Zootaxa 4931 (1), pp. 1-68 : 37

Phytomyza palmeri Eiseman & Lonsdale

Material examined. OKLAHOMA: Payne Co., Mehan , 36.013839°, -96.998103°, 15.xi.2017, em. 22.xi.2017, M.W. Palmer, ex Symphoricarpos orbiculatus , # CSE4380 , CNC1135649 (1♁); 30.xii.2017, em. 30.xii.2017, M.W. Palmer, ex Symphoricarpos orbiculatus , # CSE4375 , CNC1144114–1144115 (1♁ 1♀) .

Host. Caprifoliaceae : Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Moench.

Leaf mine. Upper surface, gradually widening, at least sometimes linear throughout, but often contorted to form a secondary blotch. The black frass is in closely spaced grains or beaded strips, allowing the larva’s path to be traced even when the mine forms a nearly continuous blotch ( Eiseman & Lonsdale 2018).

Puparium. Brown; formed within the mine, its anterior spiracles projecting ventrally through the upper epidermis ( Eiseman & Lonsdale 2018). A broad, dark ventral stripe is at least sometimes present, as in Phytomyza flavilonicera , but this is not evident in all photographed mines, perhaps due to the rest of the puparium being fairly dark and not providing sufficient contrast to show through the epidermis.

Phenology and voltinism. 25 October is the earliest date we have found probable mines of this species, with some mines recently initiated and some already complete. Specimens have been reared from mines collected between 7 November and 30 December, with adults emerging indoors without a pupal diapause (17 November to 30 December).

Distribution. USA: OK.

Comments. These additional rearings do not provide new host or distribution records for Phytomyza palmeri , but it is worth noting that the genitalia of these specimens differ slightly from those of the type series, representing new intraspecific variation. While agreeing in overall external and genitalic morphology, the apex of the ill-defined and slightly annulated distiphallus of the new specimens is slightly larger, in some cases up to ¼ longer, and one male has a slight medial constriction in the segment (seen ventrally).