Attention leafminer hunters!
Until further notice, I am offering a free subscription to the 2nd edition of Leafminers of North America to anyone who sends me material of western grape Phyllocnistis suitable for DNA barcoding (i.e., larvae, pupae, or reared adults; not just empty mines--but a mine with a dead, dried larva inside may work). I'm after the mines with the distinct narrow central frass line, like this one:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3900879
So far they have been found in California, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona (in one case on Parthenocissus, which I'd happily accept too). Although this mine type is my primary target, I'll accept western examples of Phyllocnistis vitegenella (the "snail trail" one) for now too. By western I mean west of the Great Plains.
And so people east of the Rockies don't feel left out, I'll also extend this offer to anyone who can collect mines containing larvae (dead or alive) of the mysterious nepticulid moth on dogwood (Cornus spp.). The mines are entirely linear and look much like those of Phytomyza agromyzina at first glance, but the frass is in a central line rather than alternating along the sides, the larva will have a distinct head capsule, and there will be a tiny, shining eggshell at the beginning of the mine (possibly on the lower leaf surface). I don't think I've seen any examples on iNat yet, but empty mines have been found in Ontario, Iowa, Ohio, and Vermont. Here is one I found in southern Ohio on August 6 a few years ago. That's my only datapoint as far as when an occupied mine can be found; the few other examples have been found later in the season, already empty.
If you think you've got what I'm looking for, post the observation and message me!
