Leaf miner

Symptom

Infestations usually begin shortly after germination or transplanting under warm, moist conditions, often peaking during late spring or early summer. Adult female leaf miners create multiple punctures in the leaf tissue using their ovipositor, and both males and females feed on the resulting plant exudates. These punctures often represent the earliest visible signs of infestation. The larvae subsequently tunnel through the leaf tissue, migrating toward and into the bulbs and leaf sheaths. Both the puncture wounds and mining galleries provide entry points for bacterial and fungal pathogens. As the infestation progresses, larvae or pupae can often be found within the mined areas.