One of the shots I thought I still wanted to get was leaf miner bugs inside a leaf. Was still sorting out my 2006 shots yesterday when I came across a leaf miner track shot I had taken because I like the abstract patterns they make in leaves but had not realised that it actually had 2 leaf miners in action,
First shot is one of the "abstract art" pics- 2nd shot is the one I found with two leaf-miner larvae munching their way round the leaf.
The leaves are of an ornamental cherry which started turning colour early because of a dry summer we had that year.

Last shot is possibly the adult fly responsible- an Agromyzidid fly about 3mm body length. You often see these tiny flies almost hovering around plants.

[EDIT] just checked the original of #1- whilst not so clear there are 9 leaf- miner larvae in the shot . All makes sense now- my father used to kill these on his prize chrysanthemum leaves by sticking a pin through the leaf at the end of the tracks.

Brian V.

interesting,v.nice fly shot

Amazing!
Must admit that I detected the larvae in the first picture after looking at the second picture, and after re-reading the intro!
Have to find some of these, and check!!!

Thanks,

RT.

That is wild! Good stuff Brian!

Thanks for the comments everyone
Well I've had the pictures for a year and a half and hadn't noticed the larvae
At least I can tick that one off
Brian v.

I find the first shot appealing for the many patterns, details and coloring. Never saw a leaf miner up close in actions so that second one is incredible. Third one is superb, your specialty!

Karl

... never seen that larvae... Superinteresting Brian. Great
K

Thanks Karl and Keke
I was a bit annoyed I didn't notice the larvae when I took the pics - but guess that's because I was just looking at the textures and patterns.
Brian V.

Great shots Brian, you may have found this site but a good one for leaf miners British Leafminers

Adrian

Wow! First I like the abstract patterns in the first shot and then to actually see the critter responsible for them -brilliant!

We have those flies here so I'm gonna start looking for the patterns of their larva

Thanks for looking and commenting Adrian and John
John - some of the patterns I got at the time reminded me of Australian Aboriginal art

Adrian - thanks for the link- had not found it. Looks like most of this type of damage might be from moth larvae rather than the leaf-miner flies - shame leaf miner flies are much easier to ID - they are nearly always 3mm long and have yellow and black markings
Brian v.

Beautiful patterns and an interesting find!

MichAg92 wrote:
Beautiful patterns and an interesting find!

Thanks Amy
They can make some interesting patterns- helped in this case by premature ageing of the leaf.
Interesting that instead of being a gardening pest- it's a macro opportunity
brian v.