Leafminer

Life miner trails in an oak leaf are indicated by the yellow arrow

Leafminer Description

Leaf miners are the larvae of moths, beetles or caterpillars that chew their way around the spongy layer between leaf surfaces. As the larva grows, its appetite, and the width of the tunnel increases in size, giving the characteristic shape shown in the diagram at left.

Some leaf miners are species specific, infecting, boxwood, pyracantha, birch, citrus or elm, for example.

What to Do

Remove affected leaves. Systemic insecticides can help reduce the spread.

Further Reading

• Boxwood Leaf Miner
• Elm Leaf Miner
• Birch Leaf Miner
• Leafminer
• Citrus leaf miner