Leaf miners are the larvae of moths, beetles, maggots, flies or caterpillars that have hatched between the upper and lower epidermis of a leaf. They then burrow there way out eating part of the leaf and leaving a trail.

Common Types from 524 Leaf Miners

• Chrysanthemum leaf miner ‘Phytomyza chrysanthemi’ also known as the Margurite fly.
• Privet leaf miner ‘Gracilaria cuculipennella’
• Palm leaf miner ‘Homaledra sabelella’
• Other favourite indoor targets include Ficus species and African Violets.
• A few mining insects use other parts of a plant, such as the surface of a fruit.
• The horse chestnut leaf miner ‘Cameraria ohridella’

Damage and Control

• Deterioration of plants leaf by leaf results from the tunneling or mining activity.
• Some damage is linear some is serpentine.
• Blotches and circular ruptures may occur where the surface has been eaten away.
• Sprays are largely ineffective as the insect is protected under the surface of the leaf.
• Systemic insecticide is the only cure. Insecticides recommended for leaf miner control on farm crops include carbaryl, chlorfenvinphos, diazinon, dimethoate and trichlorphon.
• Infected leaves should be pruned off and destroyed.
• Farmers may reduce or prevent problems by planting trap or distraction crops near the plants to be protected

 

Sources Creative Commons
Top; by Martin LaBar, on Flickr’ leaf miners, insects that, generally as larvae, burrow between the upper and lower epidermis of leaves. An interesting ecological niche!’
Lower; leaf miners by tonrulkens, on Flickr

Read British Leaf Miners