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Classification Order: Diptera – true flies Family: Opomyzidae

Length 5 to 5.5 mm

Phenology

Identification

A relativelty small fly orange coloured species with black wing markings. It is slow moving and inactive sometimes not flying immediately

Life Cycle

Larva feed on grass stems and therefore a cereal crop pest

. Especially common in early sown wheat crops by late September and October, eggs are laid at the base of the plants. As the larva feeds on the stem's interior tissues this results in stunted growth and in high population times this can cause significant cereal crop damage.

 

Habitat

Meadows, fields of cereal crops particulary near to ditches or water margins.