Aulagromyza populicola Walker

Aulagromyza populicola (Walker)

(Fig. 101)

Material examined. OKLAHOMA: Payne Co., Mehan, 36.014339° N, 96.996744° W, 3.vii.2016, em. 17.vii.2016, M.W. Palmer, ex Populus deltoides, #CSE3044, CNC 653999 (1♀); 19.vi.2017, em. by 10.vii.2017, M.W. Palmer, ex Populus deltoides, #CSE3943, CNC 939893 (1♀).

Hosts. Salicaceae: Populus deltoides W. Bartram ex Marshall; other Populus spp. in Europe.

Leaf mine. (Fig. 101) According to Spencer (1969) and Ellis (2017), in Europe this species forms an irregular, greenish, upper surface blotch mine, which may be elongated but never obviously linear. The exit slit is said to be unusually long, from half to almost three quarters of a circle. The two mines found in Oklahoma were each whitish and distinctly linear, widening to an irregular, elongate blotch 5–6 mm wide. The frass was deposited in discrete black grains, rather sparsely in the wider portion of the mine.

Puparium. Formed outside the mine according to Spencer (1969) and Ellis (2017). In both of our examples, the dark brown puparium was formed within the mine.

Distribution. * USA: OK; Canada: ON; Europe.

Comments. While our female adults are consistent with Aulagromyza populicola, it would be desirable for male specimens to be obtained from the Oklahoma population to confirm that it is conspecific with those in Canada and Europe, due to the differences in mine characteristics and pupation site noted above.