page_title: Agromyzidae
section_title: General description
hierarchical_section_title: Agromyzidae / General description
caption_attribution_description: English: Francis Walker [1853] Insecta Britannica Diptera Part of plate XVII Figure 3 Cerodontha denticornis 3a head lateral. 3b antennna and figure 5 Phytomyza affinis 5a head lateral. 5b face 5c antenna
context_page_description: The Agromyzidae are a family commonly referred to as the leaf-miner flies, for the feeding habits of their larvae, most of which are leaf miners on various plants.
  A worldwide family of roughly 2,500 species, they are small, some with wing length of 1 mm. The maximum size is 6.5 mm. Most species are in the range of 2 to 3 mm.
context_section_description: Adult agromyzids can be recognized by the distinctive sclerotization of the head. The upper part of the frons, above the ptilinal suture (known as the frontal vitta) is lightly sclerotized and lacks setae, while the lower part of the frons and the dorsal area of the head tends to be much more heavily sclerotized and setaceous. Thus, the frontal vitta often forms a distinctive patch on the head, different in colour and texture from the rest of the head. The compound eyes are usually oval and fairly small, although in some species, they are larger and more circular.
  The wings are usually hyaline, although those of a few tropical species have darker markings. A few species, including all Agromyza spp., are capable of stridulation, possessing a "file" on the first abdominal segment and a "scraper" on the hind femur.
  The family Agromyzidae is commonly referred to as the leaf-miner flies, for the feeding habits of their larvae, most of which are leaf miners on various plants.
caption: Figure 3 Cerodontha denticornis, 3a head lateral, 3b antenna, and figure 5 Phytomyza affinis 5a head lateral, 5b face, 5c antenna
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