Diptera: Drosophilidae leaf miner

Scaptomyza flava Fallén is a leaf miner of Cruciferous plants (Brassicaceae). It occurs throughout New Zealand and in many other parts of the world. S. flava attacks living plants but also lays eggs on dead leaves and larvae can develop in dead and decaying plant material. However, survival to the adult stage is greater when larvae develop on live leaves. Females are polygamous and mating begins soon after emergence. Female flies start puncturing leaves with their ovipositor ca. 4 h. after emergence and produce peak numbers of punctures within the first 12 h. of their adult lives. It is during this peak time of puncture production that egg laying begins. Oviposition starts on the day following emergence and lasts for about two weeks. After this oviposition rate declines slowly.