Phytomyza flexuosa Spencer

Material examined. IOWA: Winneshiek Co., Beard Farm, 27.v.2018, em. spring 2018, J. van der Linden, ex Ranunculus abortivus, # CSE4646, CNC1144044–1144046 (1♁ 2♀) .

Host. * Ranunculaceae: Ranunculus abortivus L.

Leaf mine. A blotch formed at the apex of a leaf lobe.

Puparium. Formed outside the mine.

Phenology and voltinism. Our specimens were collected as larvae on 27 May and emerged as adults within a few weeks. The holotype was collected as an adult on 27 August (Spencer & Steyskal 1986).

Distribution. USA: *IA, WA (Spencer & Steyskal 1986).

Comments. This species was described from a single specimen caught while sweeping Erigeron canadensis, but its host was presumed to be in Ranunculaceae due to the close similarity of the genitalia to those of Phytomyza davisii (Walton) . The latter species also feeds on Ranunculus abortivus, forming blotch mines and pupating externally (Eiseman & Lonsdale 2019).