LEAF-MINING ANTHOMYIDÆ

Abstract

Among our American species of Anthomyidæ, none have hitherto been known as leaf-miners. Several are depredators on the roots of garden vegetables, as indicated by the specific names of Anthomyia ceparum, A. Brassicœ and A. raphani (the onion fly, cabbage fly and radish fly); some occur in excrementa, and one, a few years ago, was discovered as preying upon the eggs of the Rocky Mountain locust. During last year and the preceding a species (A. batœ) which had been almost unknown since its publication in 1860, has been seriously damaging the leaves of beets, in England, by mining them in tortuous channels and large blotches, causing them to shrivel, dry up and die. In two counties alone, 1,624 acres of mangolds were infested (Ormerod). This last summer some Anthomyiæ larvæ were discovered by me in Middleburgh. N. Y., extensively mining the leaves of the garden beet (Beta vulgaris). Judging from published descriptions and figures, I believed it to be identical with the European species of the same habits, and that it had been a recent importation thence.