Abai, MR

6th International Congress of DipterologyLiriomyza leaf miners of economic significance to Australia(Diptera: Agromyzidae)Malipatil, M.B., P.M. Ridland & L. SemeraroDepartment of Primary Industries, Private Bag 15, Ferntree Gully Delivery Centre,Victoria 3156, AustraliaThe family Agromyzidae is represented in Australia with only about 150identified species. The genus Liriomyza, which has over 376 speciesworldwide and has many species of economic importance, is sparselyrepresented in Australia with only 18 species. Only Liriomyza brassicaeand L. betae (syn. L. chenopodii) have some economic significance inAustralia.However, seven species of Liriomyza that have significant pest status inmany countries around the world but are not yet present in Australia, are L.huidobrensis, L. sativae, L. trifolii, L. chinensis, L. bryoniae, L. strigataand L. cicerina . Some of these, particularly L. huidobrensis, L. sativae andL. trifolii, are highly polyphagous and invasive. While they are not yetreported in Australia, L. huidobrensis and L. sativae have recently invadedIndonesia and L. trifolii is currently present in Tonga, New Caledonia, theCook Islands and French Polynesia, giving these species significantquarantine importance for Australia.We have studied the Australian major economic as well as exoticquarantine species mentioned above with a view to develop Lucididentification keys and diagnostic protocol capability for certain exoticspecies (e.g. L. cicerina, L. huidobrensis, L. sativae and L. trifolii) as partof Australia's preparedness for exotic biosecurity threats. Additionally, weare using molecular diagnostics developed for a few exotic species using arapid PCR-RFLP method based on COI and CO II genes.Key Words: Agromyzidae, Liriomyza, Australia155