Leaf Miner

7. Leaf Miner (Liriomyza spp.)

Leaf mining insect are mostly moths, sawflies and flies, which feeds on the foliage of the plant through making numerous, small, whitish punctures

Wandering tracks of leafminer

Symptoms and damage

• Maggots, which are the most destructive stage, feed on the foliage of the leaves leaving wandering tracks. • Reduce development of the flowers and fruits • Leaves dry and fall off prematurely

Management

• Pick and destroy mined leaves • Plough/weed the field to expose the pupae to predators and desiccation • Natural control: introduce lacewigs, parasitic wasps and eulophidae • Spray pesticides with abamectic or spinosad