Learn how to identify by knowing major symptoms of leaf miner flies
The most common sign of leaf miner activity is the presence of winding, serpentine trails on the leaves. These trails are created by the larvae as they tunnel through the leaf tissue, feeding as they go.
These burrows are usually limited by the leaf veins and contain black fecal material visible as slim trace inside the tunnels. The trails often appear as white or yellowish lines that meander across the leaf surface.
In some cases, leaf miners create blotchy areas on the leaves rather than trails. These blotches occur when multiple larvae feed in close proximity, causing large sections of the leaf to die and turn brown.
As the larvae feed, they can cause the affected leaves to curl or distort. This is especially common in citrus trees, where the damage can lead to significant leaf deformation.
Damaged leaves may drop prematurely (defoliation). Defoliation can reduce yield and fruit size and expose fruit to sunburn.
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