Death to Leaf Miners!

...and all who support them!

This is what those pigs have done to one of Momma Daisy's granddaughters.



Here's how they work.

Leafminers are usually the larvae of flies, moths, or beetles that feed or "mine" between the upper and lower epidermal leaf surfaces. The larvae tunnel through the leaf creating a narrow, whitish colored serpentine (winding) mine (Figure 1 ) or blotch (blister) ( Figure 2 ) type mine. The tunnel is clear, except for the trail of black fecal material left behind as larvae feed. Female flies puncture or "stipple" leaves with their ovipositors to lay eggs in the leaf tissue or to feed on sap.

Here's how to kill them.

Systemic insecticides may provide the greatest control of leafminers. A systemic insecticide is absorbed into the leaf tissue, killing the insects inside. Non-systemic insecticides stay on the leaf surface and do not affect insects inside of them. Thorough spray coverage of the upper and lower leaf surfaces is especially important. Apply the pesticide according to directions outlined on the container label.

I'm going to put this little daisy outside and give her a systemic. My concern is that the bug that laid the leaf miner eggs might have infected some of the others or when these larvae hatch, they might attack my other indoor plants.