What is known today as the pea leafminer was originally described as five different fly species: Agromyza huidobrensis Blanchard (1926, Brazil), Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard (1938, Argentina), L. cucumifoliae Blanchard (1938, Argentina), L. langei Frick (1951, California), and L. dianthi Frick (1958, California). In 1973, Spencer synonymized the California and South American species under the name Liriomyza huidobrensis. Recent genetic evidence (in addition to observations of behavioral differences) strongly suggests that the species occurring in California and Hawaii is different from the South American species and that the name L. langei should be resurrected.
What is known today as the pea leafminer was originally described as five different fly species: Agromyza huidobrensis Blanchard (1926, Brazil), Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard (1938, Argentina), L. cucumifoliae Blanchard (1938, Argentina), L. langei Frick (1951, California), and L. dianthi Frick (1958, California). In 1973, Spencer synonymized the California and South American species under the name Liriomyza huidobrensis. Recent genetic evidence (in addition to observations of behavioral differences) strongly suggests that the species occurring in California and Hawaii is different from the South American species and that the name L. langei should be resurrected.