Commercial Leafminer Species
Overview
Leafminers are not a single pest but a group of insects whose larvae feed within leaves.
In UK commercial horticulture, most important species belong to the fly family Agromyzidae, although the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) is a moth that also creates leaf mines.
Correct species identification improves monitoring, biological control and crop-specific integrated pest management (IPM).
Why species matter
Different leafminer species vary in:
- preferred host plants
- life cycle
- seasonal activity
- crop importance
- monitoring priorities
- geographical distribution
- biological control performance
Although mines may appear similar, understanding the species present helps guide effective management.
Tomato Leafminer Fly (Liriomyza bryoniae)
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One of the most important protected-crop leafminers in the UK.
Common hosts include:
- tomato
- cucumber
- pepper
- aubergine
- ornamentals
Typical symptoms:
- winding mines
- feeding punctures
- reduced leaf area
➡ Species page
American Serpentine Leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A highly polyphagous species affecting many protected crops.
Common hosts include:
- vegetables
- herbs
- ornamentals
Produces characteristic winding mines.
➡ Species page
Pea Leafminer (Liriomyza huidobrensis)
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An important pest of peas and numerous vegetable crops.
Hosts include:
- peas
- beans
- leafy vegetables
- ornamentals
Larvae produce narrow serpentine mines that widen during development.
➡ Species page
Chrysanthemum Leafminer (Phytomyza syngenesiae)
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A specialist ornamental pest.
Common hosts include:
- chrysanthemum
- daisy family ornamentals
- nursery plants
Visible mines can significantly reduce market quality.
➡ Species page
Allium Leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma)
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A serious pest of allium crops.
Hosts include:
- leek
- onion
- garlic
Unlike many agromyzid leafminers, larvae may continue feeding into stems and bulbs.
➡ Species page
Tomato Leafminer (Tuta absoluta)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Despite its name, Tuta absoluta is not a leafminer fly.
It is a moth whose caterpillar larvae mine leaves but also attack:
- stems
- flowers
- fruit
It requires different monitoring techniques, including pheromone trapping.
➡ Species page
Comparing the main species
| Species | Main hosts | Relative importance |
|---|---|---|
| Liriomyza bryoniae | Tomato, cucumber, pepper | Very High |
| Liriomyza trifolii | Vegetables, herbs, ornamentals | High |
| Liriomyza huidobrensis | Peas, vegetables | High |
| Phytomyza syngenesiae | Chrysanthemum | Moderate |
| Phytomyza gymnostoma | Leeks, onions, garlic | High |
| Tuta absoluta | Tomato | Very High |
Monitoring
Most programmes combine:
- crop inspection
- fresh mine counts
- yellow sticky traps
- parasitoid monitoring
- inspection of incoming plants
- hotspot recording
For Tuta absoluta, pheromone trapping is also essential.
Biological control
Important natural enemies include:
Species should always be confirmed before selecting a biological control programme.
Related BioWiki pages
- Leafminer
- Leafminer Identification Guide
- Leafminer Host Plants
- Leafminer Environment and Risk Factors
- Leafminer Life Cycle
- Leafminer Damage Symptoms
Key message
Commercial leafminers represent several different species rather than a single pest.
Identifying the species involved allows more accurate monitoring, better biological control and improved integrated pest management.