LEAF MINERS
'All-You-Need-To-Know-About'

Leaf miners are the larval stages of moths or flies.  They tunnel into the leaf tissue of the plant, causing erratic twisting 'mines', or bulging blister 'mines'.  Some leaf miners are serious pests, whilst others do not occur in sufficient numbers to warrant treatment, unless the plant foliage is of particular importance.  Control is effected by spraying or dusting with malathion or pirimiphos when the larvae are present in the mines, and in warm weather conditions, (above 18 C). If there are just a few present, you can literally squeeze them between finger and thumb!