Food Plant: Plantago spp (Plantain) especially P.major (Greater plantain) and P.lanceolata (Ribwort Plantain)

Mine: May-October

Notes: Makes a long, linear, whitish narrow mine; normally in the leaf, but sometimes in the stem. The mines can resemble those Phytomyza griffithsi, being wide and originating in the petiole (Edmunds 2022) The pupa is formed at the end of a mine and in the lower surface of the leaf. In the petiole the pupariation may be upper surface. Mines originating in the petiole need to be reared to determine the species. Puparia are white but soon turn a pale yellow or darker yellow (as shown in dorsal (top) and ventral view (bottom photos)). Common and widespread throughout the UK. The mines are shown on P.major (Greater plantain).

Data: 29.vii.2021, Downham Market, Norfolk, VC28

Image:© Rob Edmunds