UF/IFAS Vegetable Arthropod Pest Photographs CD-ROM III

Morningglory Leafminer, Bedellia somnulentella
(Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

The morningglory leafminer is widely distributed throughout the United States and is found in most areas of the world including both tropical and temperate climates. The morningglory leafminer is commonly parasitized by natural enemies that help to keep populations under control. The life cycle requires approximately 30 days and two generations generally occur each year. The egg is translucent white and looks like a flattened sphere. Larvae are yellowish-gray and turn greenish as they age. Pink spots may also develop on the back of older larvae. Pupae are greenish with a mottled red pattern but the red usually fades and the pupae become greenish or brownish. The adult is grayish-brown with fringed wings.

The only vegetable crop that is attacked by the morningglory leafminer is sweetpotato. Weed hosts include bindweed and morningglory. Mining the foliage by the larvae results in long tunnels that wind over the surface of the leaf and cause damage. The tunnels are located just below the epidermis of the leaf. If infestations are heavy, leaves may become withered or have a seared appearance. The morningglory leafminer is not considered to be a major pest in most conditions. Foliar insecticides may be applied to suppress morningglory leafminer populations.

Images

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Morningglory leafminer, Bedellia somnulentella, larvae with
mines.
(Photographer: J. Capinera, University of Florida)
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