Leafmining Insects
by W.S. Cranshaw, D.A. Leatherman and J.R. Feucht 1 (Revised 1/09)
Quick Facts...
Leafminers are insects that feed within a leaf, producing large blotches or meandering tunnels.
Although leafminer injuries are conspicuous, most leafminers produce injuries that have little, if any, effect on plant health.
Most leafminers have many natural controls that will normally provide good control of leafminers.
Insecticides applied when leafminers lay eggs are useful for control of many leafminers.
Figure 1: Spinach leafminer egg mass.
Leafminers are insects that have a habit of feeding within leaves or needles, producing tunneling injuries. Several kinds of insects have developed this habit, including larvae of moths (Lepidoptera), beetles (Coleoptera), sawflies (Hymenoptera) and flies (Diptera). Most of these insects feed for their entire larval period within the leaf. Some will also pupate within the leaf mine, while others have larvae that cut their way out when full-grown to pupate in the soil.
©2012 Colorado State University Extension
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