Tomato Leafminer Fly
Scientific group or name: Liriomyza species
Overview
Leafminer flies lay eggs within leaves, and their larvae create winding mines between the leaf surfaces. Several Liriomyza species can affect tomato.
Host plants
Tomato and many other vegetable and ornamental crops.
Identification
Adults are tiny dark flies, often with yellow markings. Larvae are pale maggots within serpentine or irregular mines.
Damage and symptoms
Mining reduces leaf area and can cause premature leaf loss. Adult feeding and egg-laying punctures appear as small pale spots.
Lifecycle and favourable conditions
Warm protected environments support continuous development. Movement of infested plants can spread populations.
Monitoring
Check lower and middle leaves for fresh mines, larvae and adult punctures. Yellow traps help track adults.
Management
Remove fresh mined leaves carefully before larvae emerge, maintain weed control and avoid unnecessary pesticides harmful to parasitoids.
Biological control and natural enemies
Diglyphus isaea and other leafminer parasitoids can provide strong control when introduced early and conserved.
Biological control should be selected only after the pest has been identified and the crop, temperature, growing environment and pest pressure have been considered.
Related BioWiki pages
This page provides general integrated pest-management information. Identification and control decisions should be confirmed for the crop and local situation.