Hi everyone,
Nearly a year after creating it, there are now 5583 observations in the North American Leafminers umbrella project (https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/north-american-leafminers), and I've just finished reviewing all of them. A couple of notes:
iNat currently has 167 observations for the oak shothole leafminer (Japanagromyza viridula), most of which are in the project--but the vast majority just show the "shot holes" rather than leaf mines. There are supposedly other things that can cause similar holes in oak leaves, so I am only attributing these to J. viridula if there are associated leaf mines. I would prefer not to have photos added to the leafminer project if all they show is the holes. I just quickly scanned through all the J. viridula observations and found just seven that show actual leaf mines:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/5236321
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14453364
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14453365
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14453367
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14453370
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/25991431
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/27329971
I've now created a few "species complex" nodes for mines made by two or more closely related species that can't be distinguished without rearing adults:
Ectoedemia populella group for the "green island" mines on aspen
Phytomyza ilicis group works for all fly mines on Ilex spp. (I only just created this one tonight, and there are a number of observations currently just identified as "Phytomyza" that belong here)
Phytomyza minuscula group includes the two species that form linear mines on columbine
I'll create other species complex nodes as needed, now that I've figured out how to do it. Unfortunately the Liriomyza species that form linear mines on white snakeroot aren't necessarily closely related, so I haven't made a special place for all those observations.
I think that's it for now. Keep up the good work!
Charley
Comments
Thanks, Charley! As a complete amateur brand new to leafminers this year I've learned so much from participating in this project and while I get lost in the details of taxonomy and to date have no competency, I'm sure with persistence I'll start to learn more and possibly learn to apply my knowledge in the field as well.
Congratulations Charley! We all owe you a big vote of appreciation! You have the real teacher's spirit!
Thank you, Charley; I have had so much fun finding mines for this project and really appreciate all the work you put into IDing them.
I second everything that Sara says. I have learned so much and enjoyed so much finding mines and other insect damage, thanks to your inspiration and help.
There's a Gall project too? Well, there goes all my free time....
In all seriousness, thanks for your work. I only fairly recently found out about this project but I will enjoy looking for mines this summer.
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