University of Hawaii at Manoa
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Serpentine Leafminer and Citrus Leafminer

What is it? 

Serpentine leafminer damage. Photo credit: University of Wisconsin Extension

Serpentine leafminer damage
Photo: University of Wisconsin Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture, retrieved November, 2011. http://hort.uwex.edu/articles/leafminers-vegetables

Citrus leaf miner. Photo: Dr. Scot Nelson

Citrus Leafminer damage
Photo: Dr. Scot C. Nelson, CTAHR

Problem

The leaves of plants have many wandering pale lines.

Description

Leafminer larvae feed in the middle tissue layer of leaves of many different crops, leaving a white or greenish colored trail. The trail meanders all over the leaf. Occasionally you may see black frass.

Information

Control

Generally, we tell people not to worry too much about leafminers. You can remove affected leaves to prevent spread of the pest, but an infestation is never generally enough to kill a plant.

Chemical control:  Though there are chemicals available that are effective against leafminers, they do more harm than good by killing parasites of the leafminer.

Kendal Lyon, Hawaii Island Master Gardeners