Ophiomyia carolinensis Spencer

(Fig. 68)

Material examined. NORTH CAROLINA: Durham Co., Durham, Leigh Farm Park, 4.v.2018, em. 25.v.2018, T . S. Feldman, ex Symphyotrichum patens, # CSE4558, CNC1144104 (1♀); 10.v.2018, em. 25.v.2018, T . S. Feldman, ex Symphyotrichum patens, # CSE4563, CNC1144103 (1♁).

Hosts. Asteraceae: Symphyotrichum * patens (Aiton) G.L.Nesom. We have seen similar leaf mines on S. cordifolium (L.) G.L.Nesom, S. georgianum (Alexander) G.L.Nesom, S. laeve (L.) Á.L̂ve & D.L̂ve, S. lateriflorum (L.) Á.L̂ve & D.L̂ve, S. novae-angliae (L.) G.L.Nesom, and S. novi-belgii (L.) G.L.Nesom.

Leaf mine. (Fig. 68) Mostly greenish and interparenchymal, with portions sometimes becoming discolored reddish or brownish; initially long, narrow, and linear, later becoming an elongate, poorly defined blotch running along both sides of the midrib. The linear portion is sometimes only intermittently visible on the upper surface.

Puparium. Whitish; formed within the leaf, with the anterior spiracles projecting through the lower epidermis. On Symphyotrichum patens, each puparium was found at the tip of one of the basal leaf lobes, which in one instance was 6 cm away from the apparent end of the mine.

Phenology and voltinism. Our North Carolina specimens were collected as larvae in early May, with adults emerging later that month. In New York, larvae are present in June and July (Scheffer & Lonsdale 2018).

Distribution. USA: NC, NY (Scheffer & Lonsdale 2018). We have seen similar leaf mines in GA, IA, MA, MD, NH, NJ, VT, and ON.

Comments. The only previous host record for this species is that of “possibly Symphyotrichum sp.” from Scheffer & Lonsdale (2018); the host genus is now confirmed.