Leaf Miners

insect

Various (Agromyzidae)

Fly larvae that tunnel between leaf surfaces creating serpentine trails.

Identification

Squiggly white or brown trails (mines) visible in leaves. Small maggot visible inside trail with backlighting.

Serpentine white trails in leaves. Reduced photosynthesis. Cosmetic damage to leafy crops. Secondary infections.

Remove and destroy mined leaves. Row covers. Neem oil. Parasitic wasps (Diglyphus isaea) naturally control populations.

Spinosad. Cyromazine. Avoid broad-spectrum which kill parasitic wasps.

Row covers. Remove and destroy crop residue. Encourage parasitic wasps with flowering herbs.

Data confidence: medium | Source: curated_ipm