Weird bug thing making holes in my Chard

[sophie grower]

Hello,
I noticed that my Chard has been getting holes in. When I look closely there are these tiny black caterpiller like things that are sort of in the leave and making parts of the leaf around them translucent.
Has anyone got any idea what these are - please help!

[RedThorn]

hi and welcome to the vine.

the leaves are going translucent as they are being munched. Are there a lot of caterpillars? try either picking them off or if it is only on a few leaves, pick the leaves off/ squash the caterpillars

As to the type of caterpillar, sorry - not sure.

[snohare]

Sounds like leaf miners. These are larvae that are laid inside the leaf as eggs, and when they hatch out they crawl around between the translucent waxy cuticles of the leaves, eating the scrumptious green chlorophyll bitties in between until they are big enough to hatch out into another phase of existence. I think it is wee flies that are the culprit, but to be honest I'm not sure - I only know that much because I saw one once on a wildflower plant and asked the Countryside Ranger I was with !
The one advantage to them is that they are even easier to spot and squish than patercillars, as you don't get bug remains all over your fingers. (Transparently obvious, innit!)

[sophie grower]

Hello,
Thanks lots for the replies - I've never posted on any blogs before and very excited to get a reply so quickly!!
Def sounds like leaf miners - your right they are easy to spot, will be checking daily now! Quite an interesting creature!
Just suscribed to GYO and have had my first summer growing vegetables, got lots of things planned so will be on the blog at lot more from now on!

[snohare]

Welcome to the Vine, Ms Grower ! Yes, forums are wonderful when they are good, just what the internet is for really.
Good idea to edit your personal profile to let people know which geographical area you live in, so that folk can give advice knowing what sort of climate/length of growing season you have.
If you find that you have badly damaged leaves on the likes of brassicas etc, these may give off a scent that helps attract more pests. So it is best to cut these off; you will soon find more will grow. (Which will be a great releaf, I know ! )