Larva: Yellow, 1/8 inch long, lives in leaves. Adult fly: Tiny, black and yellow. Several generations of this insect develop in a summer.
Tomato, pepper, spinach, squash and pumpkin.
Larvae make long, slender, winding, white tunnels in leaves.
Throughout United States. Damage usually is not appreciable in the northern states.
Female leafminers deposit eggs within leaf tissue. Larvae hatch from eggs in a few days and begin to feed on internal leaf tissues. Mature larvae emerge from inside the leaf and drop to the soil where they pupate in soil crevices, or in rare cases, they may pupate on the leaf. The timespan from egg to adult is less and three weeks under optimum conditions, so many generations occur annually.
Pick and destroy infested leaves.
Leafminers are often controlled by parasitic wasps.
Treat with a registered insecticide.
For Cucurbits (cantaloupes, cucumber, squash, pumpkins, and watermelons): Treat when damage appears; repeat as needed.
Notice: Because pesticide labels can change rapidly, you should read the label directions carefully before buying and using any pesticides. Regardless of the information provided here, you should always follow the latest product label when using any pesticide. If you have any doubt, please contact your local Extension agent or pesticide dealer for the latest information on pesticide label changes.
Disclaimer: Commercial products named on this site are for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not endorse these products and does not intend discrimination against other products which also may be suitable.
Prepared by Alexandra Spring and Eric Day (Modified from a publication by the USDA)