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Leaf Miners - descriptively named because of their
'mining' action in leaves - are the larvae of several different types of
moths, flies etc. The Leaf Miner larvae dig themselves into the very
heart of the leaf, between the top and bottom layers, and then burrow
along inside having a nice meal, and leaving a rather unsightly 'trail'
behind them. Sometimes known as Leafminers.
They are particularly troublesome on some plants -
Chrysanthemums, Nasturtiums, Hollies, Cinerarias, Gerberas and
Pyrethrums to name the most affected.
As the little bug is well and truly inside the leaf,
spraying is not normally the best option. If you have a bad infestation,
then spray with a systemic insecticide or Malathion. (NOTE Malathion
cannot be used on certain plants!) Imidacloprid is a good spray to use
at the start of an infection. It is marketed in UK under name of Provado. |
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If there are just a few affected plants,
then the leaves can be picked off and destroyed. If you hold
an infected leaf up to the light, then you may see the
larvae inside it's tunnel. There can be a certain degree of
satisfaction to be had by squashing the little pests. It can
become addictive! Companion plants
can also be planted nearby - Columbines attract Leaf Miner
parents, and the inner of the leaf is a good food source for
the Leaf Miner Larvae.
Leafminers that attack Azaleas, have a
different method of 'tunnelling. Instead of the long winding
burrow associated with the Chrysanthemum leaf miner, the
Azalea Leaf miner tends to chew away in a more localised
areas - leading to large 'blisters' or blotches rather than
tunnels. |
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