Leaf Miner- Surely not now !

[Marb67]

I have had enough of getting every pest known to man in my small garden. I had my chard and beets covered with enviromesh all summer which kept the leaves from getting the usual leaf miner. I went out this afternoon and all the signs are there with tell tale signs of miner damage as the insides of the leaves are eaten under the outer layers. There are no white spots of miner eggs on the leaves so what on earth can it be, especially this late in the season ? I thought I was safe now

[Potstubsdustbins]

Bad news I am afraid.

Leaf miner larva do not belong to anyone species. They can be from beetles, flies, saw flies or even some moths.

The white spots that are missing are usually where the adults have been feeding.

Some do feed through out the winter and over winter actually in the leaf.

Potty

[Marb67]

No, the white spots I usually get show the fly has laid on the leaf. They are not showing now.

As for the species, I can tell you that it's beat leaf miner that affects chard and beetroot.

I may as well give up then

[binley100]

Don't be so defeatist...we all get bugs and pests. This year I've had stuff scoffed by rabbits, caterpillars and rats as well as snugs . Annoying tosay the least but there's always next year.

[rustylady]

Just pick off and destroy the affected leaves.

[Bren In Pots]

Just pick off and destroy the affected leaves.

plus once the leaves with holes in are chopped up and cooked they taste fine.

[Marb67]

I have pulled all the scabby leaves off. Sprayed with seaweed as this helps keep pests at bay.

[zazen999]

Have you done a soil pH test yet? The better your plants can take up nutrients they stronger they will be. If your soil pH is out then your plants are never going to take up nutrients.

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

We've been sharing some of our Kale with 'others'. Once it is shredded nobody knows (well I do - but I ain't none too fussy).

[Two_Sheds]

I may as well give up then

but then you'd have nothing to moan about


Leaf miner isn't serious, it's a cosmetic problem. Just pick off the affected leaves, if you can be bothered.

You are growing food, so critters are going to come along and eat that food, if they can.

[chris]

I just crush the leaf miner - crush along the tracks until you feel it squash If it's really bad, I'll pick the leaves off.