Leaf miner insects feed off plant leaves, creating tunneling injuries. Over 300 types exist worldwide, including caterpillars, beetles, larvae, moths, and flies. They cause unsightly damage such as tunnels, splotches, or squiggly lines. Five are considered a real danger to crops.

Vegetable leaf miner

(Liriomyza sativae)

Tomato leaf miner

(Liriomyza bryoniae)

Chickpea leaf miner

(Liriomyza cicerina)

Serpentine leaf miner

(Liriomyza huidobrensis)

American serpentine leaf miner

(Liriomyza trifolii)

Leaf miners are commonly found in the southern half of the United States, as well as in Central and South America, Asia, and the Middle East. They cannot survive in colder climates unless in a greenhouse. The vegetable leaf miner is a small shiny black fly and is one of the top three most damaging pests that can cause harm to both home gardens and horticultural crops.

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Vegetable leaf miner

(Liriomyza sativae)

Tomato leaf miners damage tomato plants, as well as sweet peppers, lettuce, melon, and chrysanthemums. They are mainly found in Asia, Morocco, and Egypt and cause premature leaf fall and tunneling. To avoid complete destruction of young plants and seedlings, take preventive measures against infestation.

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Tomato leaf miner

(Liriomyza bryoniae)

Leaf miners lay eggs under the surface of leaves and their larvae damage the inner tissue, causing white tunnels and a stippled appearance. Extensive infestation can lead to defoliation. Found in North Africa, West Asia, and Northern Europe.

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Chickpea leaf miner

(Liriomyza cicerina)

Native to the United States, Canada, Northern South America, and the Caribbean. They can less commonly be found in Europe. This leaf miner can have a devastating effect on your greenhouse plants. Outside of greenhouses, you are mostly at risk only in subtropical climates.

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Serpentine leaf miner

(Liriomyza huidobrensis)

They are also known as the celery leaf miner, native to the southern United States and the Caribbean. They feed on a wide range of plants to include ornamentals. Studies have shown their preferred hosts to be celery, daisies, and Mums.

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American Serpentine leaf miner

(Liriomyza trifolii)

Native to North America but found worldwide. Highly invasive and found in most vegetable crops.

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Pea leaf miner

(Lyriomyza langei)

A common problem to Hawthornes during May and June, luckily damage is primarily aesthetic, and the plants can normally withstand any damage caused by the leaf miner. Experts recommend planting resistant varieties as control is rarely warranted.

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Hawthorne leaf miner

(Profensua canadensis)

Found mainly in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, these leaf miners cause blisters and occasionally defoliate. Luckily, they are primarily an aesthetic issue and rarely kill a boxwood. It is recommended you select a boxwood that is genetically resistant to the leafminers to prevent infestation.

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Boxwood leaf miner

(Diptera)

The spinach leaf miner is also known as the beet leaf miner. They are typically active in the early spring months, laying their eggs on the underside of the leaves. Their preferred vegetables are beets, spinach, chard, and other greens.

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Spinach leaf miner

(Pegomya hyoscyami)

These are the most common leaf miners found on herbaceous plants. They primarily infest Columbines, perennial sunflowers, daisies, and veronica.

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Small Flies

(Agromyzidae)

Native to the United Kingdom, these moths typically infest flowering trees and shrubs. Evidence of these moths is usually white blotches left on the upper epidermis. They rarely cause any serious harm to the trees and shrubs they infest, their damage strictly being an aesthetic issue.

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Leaf blotch miner moths

(Gracillariidae)

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