Mine linear throughout, running first for a very short length on
the lower surface, then remaining on the upper surface. A narrow
early section is deeper than the rest; frass in black grains or
lumps in two irregular rows, later one. Pupation external, exit
slit through lower surface (Spencer, 1972b: 108).
Larva: The larvae of flies are leg-less maggots without a head capsule (see examples). They never have thoracic or abdominal legs. They do not have chewing mouthparts, although they do have a characteristic cephalo-pharyngeal skeleton (see examples), usually visible internally through the body wall.
Puparium: The puparia of flies are formed within the hardened last larval skin or puparium and as a result sheaths enclosing head appendages, wings and legs are not visible externally (see examples).
Empty linear mines of a Phytomyza sp. on Smyrnium
olusatrum were recorded from Rosslare, Co. Wexford, Ireland.
These do not entirely agree with those of P. smyrnii, described
from Portugal and their identity remains in doubt until adults can
be reared (Spencer, 1972b).
Hosts in Great Britain & Ireland:
of year - mines: Currently unknown.
of year - adults: Currently unknown.
in Great Britain & Ireland: Currently unknown.
NBN Grid Map:
elsewhere: Portugal (Spencer,
1990; Martinez in Fauna Europaea).
NBN Interactive Grid Maps of known host species:
British and Irish Parasitoids in Britain and elsewhere: Currently unknown.