American Serpentine Leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii
Vegetable Leafminer, Liriomyza sativae
(Diptera: Agromyzidae)

These leafminers are found primarily in the southern United States from California to Florida. A major concern is spread of this pest in infested plant material. The life cycle can be completed in 15 to 20 days under optimal conditions. Eggs are inserted into the leaf just below the surface. The larvae are greenish, yellowish or whitish in color and feed below the leaf surface causing a mined appearance. The pupa is reddish-brown. The adult is usually yellow and black, feeds on plant exudates caused by oviposition, and lives about one month. The American serpentine leafminer is distinguished from the vegetable leafminer by its grayish-black mesonotum as compared to the shiny black mesonotum of the vegetable leafminer.

These leafminers have a large host range but prefer plants in the families Cucurbitaceae, Leguminosae and Solanaceae. Weeds are common hosts. Damaged plants may have a stippled appearance but the mine caused by the larvae is the most distinctive characteristic. There are many parasitoids that help keep the leafminers in check. Yellow sticky traps can be used to monitor for adults. Management can be achieved culturally by using row covers, planting cultivars that are less susceptible to leafminers and removing alternate hosts. Many chemicals are not very effective for control of leafminer and may cause more harm than good by killing predators and parasitoids.

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Mine in tomato leaf caused by Liriomyza leafminer.
(Photographer: J. Castner, University of Florida)

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Mines in squash leaf caused by Liriomyza leafminers.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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American serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii, adult.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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American serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii, adult.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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American serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii, puparium.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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Vegetable leafminer, Liriomyza sativae, adult.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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