# Phytomyza opacae

Phytomyza opacae is a tiny insect that loves to munch on plants. It makes little tunnels in leaves, which can look like tiny paths. These insects are very small and often go unnoticed!

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Urban areas

![Phytomyza opacae](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/American_Holly_Leaf_Miner_-_Phytomyza_opacae%252C_Mason_Neck%252C_Virginia_%2838078027491%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_Holly_Leaf_Miner_-_Phytomyza_opacae%252C_Mason_Neck%252C_Virginia_%2838078027491%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The Phytomyza opacae is a very small fly, typically dull grey to yellowish-brown with clear wings. Its larvae are tiny, pale maggots that are rarely seen, as they live hidden within plant leaves, making distinctive tunnels.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Diptera
- **Family:** Agromyzidae
- **Genus:** Phytomyza

## Interesting facts

- Even though they are flies, these insects get all their food as larvae by eating plant insides!
- Female Phytomyza opacae use a sharp tube to pierce leaves and lay their tiny eggs inside.
- Some plants try to fight back against these miners by growing extra cells to trap them!
- The zig-zag trails you see on leaves are actually tunnels made by tiny Phytomyza opacae larvae!

## Special abilities

- **Leaf Art Creator:** Phytomyza opacae can create intricate patterns on leaves because its larvae tunnel through plant tissue, leaving behind unique 'leaf mines'.
- **Leaf Fortress Builder:** Phytomyza opacae has larvae that live entirely inside plant leaves that helps them stay hidden from birds and other hungry predators.
- **Plant Decoder:** Phytomyza opacae can find specific host plants because of its sensitive antennae that help detect the right chemical signals for egg-laying.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 3-7 mm
- **Size:** 1.5-3.5 mm
- **Lifespan:** 7-21 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Tiny larvae munch on leaf insides, while adults might sip nectar from flowers.

- **Age differences:** Yes, larvae feed on internal leaf tissue, while adults may feed on nectar or not at all.
- **Primary Foods:** Cirsium arvense, Arctium minus, Sonchus oleraceus, Lactuca serriola
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [Creeping Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — Larvae mine tunnels inside its leaves for food.
- **Eats:** Common Burdock (*Arctium minus*) — Its leaves are a common food source for larvae.
- **Parasitizes:** Parasitic Wasp (*Dacnusa dryas*) — This tiny wasp lays its eggs inside the Phytomyza larvae.
- **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds sometimes peck larvae out of their leaf mines.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Don't touch insects without asking an adult first, as some can bite or sting.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Phytomyza opacae?

Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Phytomyza opacae's wingspan?

3-7 mm

### How big is Phytomyza opacae?

1.5-3.5 mm

### How long does Phytomyza opacae live?

7-21 days

### What does Phytomyza opacae eat?

Tiny larvae munch on leaf insides, while adults might sip nectar from flowers.

### Where is Phytomyza opacae usually found?

Urban areas

### How does Phytomyza opacae hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Phytomyza opacae have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Eden Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eden-gardens-state-park) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden
- [Green Brook Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/green-brook-park) — New Jersey, US · Park

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

---

Source: [Phytomyza opacae: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/phytomyza-opacae)