New records of leaf-miner flies (Diptera, Agromyzidae) from Morocco

Abstract

The family Agromyzidae or leaf-miner flies (Diptera, Acalyptratae) is widely distributed in the Palaearctic Region, in which it comprises more than 1,303 species. They are considered as the third largest of Acalyptratae families which possess entirely phytophagous larvae that develop in a wide range of hosts in the plant kingdom.

Our knowledge of Moroccan agromyzid fauna is still poor and many gaps remain for this diverse family of Diptera where many regions in the country are still unexplored such as the Rif region in northern Morocco. This study aims to present new faunistic records as an attempt to fill gaps in our knowledge of Moroccan leafminers.

The specimens used in the present study were captured by sweep net and by Malaise trap at different localities throughout Morocco from 2012 to 2023. Of the 140 sites surveyed, 38 were home to the agromyzid species mentioned in this study. Specimens were kept in 70% ethanol until identification. Each specimen was examined in detail before and after its genitalia were mounted in glycerin on glass-slides. All species have been identified based on the male genitalia.

We provide new records of the family Agromyzidae (leaf-miner flies) from Morocco. Thirty agromyzid species are newly recorded, seven of these in Agromyzinae (Agromyza anthracina, A. conjuncta, A. mobilis, A. myosotidis, A. nigrescens, Hexomyza simplex and Ophiomyia pinguis). The other 23 new records are in Phytomyzinae (Amauromyza (Cephalomyza) karli, Calycomyza flavomaculata, C. solidaginis, Cerodontha (Butomomyza) eucaricis, C. (Dizygomyza) luctuosa, C. (Icteromyza) geniculata, Chromatomyia centaurii, Liriomyza amoena, L. brassicae, L. strigata, Phytoliriomyza arctica, P. perpusilla, P. pteridii, Phytomyza anemones, Ph. clematidis, Ph. crassiseta, Ph. notata, Ph. plantaginis, Ph. rufipes, Ph. vitalbae, Pseudonapomyza confusa, Ps. palavae and Ps. vota). Calycomyza Hendel is newly reported from the country. The present study has increased the total number of agromyzid species in Morocco to 92.