Leaf miners

Botanical Name:
Common Name:
Caused by:
Classification: Animalia, Insecta, feeding damage by insects

Larval stages of leaf-mining insects are feeding on the leaf tissue of plants, building little tunnels under the leaf surface.

  • Prevent plant stress by optimal watering, fertilizing and protection from sun and frost.
  • Cover seedlings with floating row cover (garden fabric).
  • Use sticky or pheromone traps.
  • Avoid growing plants that attract leaf miners (green leafy plantain, chickweed).
  • Remove pests mechanically. Pick and destroy mined leaves and egg clusters or squeeze the mined leaf to crush any larvae.
  • Apply ecological products for plant protection (e.g. neem oil).
  • Introduce natural enemies - predators, parasites, or diseases (e.g. parasitic wasp Diglyphus isaea, bacterium Bacillus thurigiensis, beneficial nematodes).
  • Clean the area of infestation. Remove nearby dock or lamb's-quarters.
  • If necessary, apply insecticide containing abamectin (GHS02: Flammable, GHS05: Corrosive, GHS07: Harmful, GHS08: Health hazard).
  • If necessary, apply insecticide containing cyromazine (GHS07: Harmful, GHS09: Environmental hazard).
  • If necessary, apply insecticide containing chlorantraniliprole (GHS07: Harmful, GHS09: Environmental hazard).