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Leafminers overwinter as pupae within leaf mines from the previous autumn.
The damage caused by leafminers is spotted mined areas on the leaves.
There are a number of species and each mine into different host plants, e.g. Aquilegia, Chrysanthemums, Lilac and some fruit varieties
Heavy foliar damage can also affect fruit/flower quality
Adults emerge in April to late May, mate, and commence egg laying.
Second generation mines occur in July, with adult emergence in August.
They feed in two stages;
1) The sap feeding stage
2) The tissue feeding stage.
In the sap feeding stage the larvae feed just above the lower leaf surface, and in the tissue feeding stage begin feeding just below the upper leaf surface, producing densely spotted mines.
Pupation occurs in June, followed shortly by adult moth emergence.
Third generation larvae, present by mid-August, pupate in the mines and overwinter, emerging the following spring.
Generations may overlap due to the extended period of egg laying and long larval development.
Spraying with BHC will keep it under control, or by using the parasitoid wasp diglyphus isaea.
This tiny wasp stings the leafminer while it is its mining and paralyses it.
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