We use cookies to make your experience better.
To comply with the new e-Privacy directive, you agree to the privacy policy and our use of cookies.
How to control Leaf Minor
Leaf Miners – Identification and Control
Leaf Miners are exactly what the name suggests—they mine the leaves! They start as small, 1–2mm long orange/brown larvae or maggots. They feed on the tissue between the surfaces of leaves, leaving small visible tunnels and excrement inside the tunnels. As they grow, the tunnels increase in size. After about three weeks, the larvae transform into adults, who then lay eggs within the leaves. After another week, these eggs hatch into larvae, and the cycle starts again.
Symptoms
-
Small cream or white puncture holes on leaves where adults have sucked sap
-
Tiny tunnels or trails visible within the leaf once eggs hatch
-
Presence of larvae/maggots inside leaves
-
Damage mostly affects the leaves of beetroot, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, alliums, and chards
-
While not usually fatal, heavy infestations can slow plant growth and make leaves look unsightly
Control
At the start of the growing season, keep on top of weeding, as this is often where Leaf Miners first appear. Regularly inspect plants for early signs of adults; they are small and hard to spot, but the white or cream spots on leaves reveal their presence. Sticky traps around your garden can help reduce numbers.
Once tunnels are forming, remove and destroy infested leaves. Do not compost them directly near your garden, as this allows the cycle to continue. Instead, burn them, dispose of them in your green waste bin away from your plants, or drown them for a few weeks before composting. If you find larvae or maggots, squish them and dispose of them safely.
Attracting birds to your garden can help control adult flies, and covering vegetables with insect-proof mesh can prevent new infestations. During autumn and winter, when preparing soil for the next season, dig deeply to bury any pests overwintering in the ground.
Tips on Controlling Leaf Miners
Try planting radish near spinach; Leaf Miners will preferentially tunnel through the radish leaves, which has little impact on the radish itself but protects your spinach.