Chrysanthemum Leaf Miner
Chrysanthemum Leaf Miner  Chrysanthemum leaf miner adults are small black to gray flies with yellow markings. Females puncture leaves to feed on plant sap and lay eggs within the leaf tissues. After 2 to 4 days eggs hatch and larvae feed between the upper and lower surface of the leaves, making distinctive winding, whitish tunnels or mines that are often the first clue that chrysanthemum leafminers are present. Larvae emerge from the mines and pupate on the leaf surface or, more commonly, in cracks in the soil. Many generations occur each year and the entire life cycle can be completed in less than 3 weeks when the weather is warm. Susceptible Plants- Chrysanthemum, cineraria, calendula, lettuce, groundsel, sow-thistle, and other members of the Asteraceae family
Symptoms- First symptoms are a white spotting of leaves caused by feeding of adult females. Narrow white tunnels appear between the upper and lower leaf surface. Then later widen meander toward the leaf midrib. After approximately 2 to 3 weeks, small dark bumps can be seen on the lower leaf surface. The primary damage caused by the chrysanthemum leafminer is the mining of the leaf by the larvae. When infestations are severe, the plant's photosynthetic capacity is reduced and there is a reduction in crop yield.
Prevention and Control- Examine plants regularly. Pick off and destroy infected leaves. Control weeds, especially groundsel and thistle, as these can support populations of chrysanthemum leafminers Biological Control- Biological control normally keeps chrysanthemum leafminers in check, but outbreaks may occur following the disruption of their parasites with broad-spectrum insecticides. These leafminers are attacked and effectively controlled by an eulophid wasp (Chrysacharis ainsleii) as well as other species in the Diglyphus, Haltocoptera, and Opius genera. Warm Weather Leafminer Parasitoid Diglyphus isaea, or Cool Weather Leafminer Parasitoid Dacnusa siberica Organic Pest Control - Entrust® - a Naturalyte® Insect Control Product
|
|
