Separation of Agromyzidae species and populations associated with legumes using discriminant analysis

Abstract

Agromyzidae populations occurring in legumes in Kenya were tested for speciation at host-type level and at the species level using discriminant analysis. Measurements were taken of various morphological characters of five populations of Chromatomyia horticola from five host plants and of seven male and female agromyzid species. The ratio of the proximal to the distal part of the wing vein, (M3+4) provided the best discrimination for five host populations of C. horticola; the species was separated into two distinct groups by this character. Females of Ophiomyia spencerella and O. phaseoli were distinct. However, overlap existed in male O. spencerella, O. phaseoli and C. horticola. In addition, there was overlap in female O. phaseoli, Tropicomyia vigneae and Liriomyza trifolii. The best discrimination in the male populations was obtained using the ratio of the proximal to the distal part of wing vein (M3+4). In the female populations, the best discriminating character was hind tibia length.