What might this be? And is it responsible for my leaf miners?!

[gardening_gal]

I have loads of these visiting the tunnel.

I have also found loads of leaf miner trails. Is this the culprit?

[bearded bloke]

No idea but just had to say GREAT pictures

[Greenleaves]

Agree with BB, great photo......looking on google I would say more than likely

[Two_Sheds]

Leaf mining damage is *usually* just cosmetic. Don't worry too much about every little creature that comes along to take advantage of the free food you're laying on

[gardening_gal]

Thanks all. Not worried in the slightest btw, just like to find out as much as I can.

I've read about leaf mining and as long as it's not extensive then I know the plants will be fine.

I just didn't know what that insect was, it's not something I've seen before but then neither was leaf mining damage, hence the 'are they linked' query.

[Two_Sheds]

Ah.

I inferred too much from the "mad angry" emoticon you used

[gardening_gal]

I was thinking more 'annoyed' when I used it but I can see where you're coming from.

And when I say 'annoyed', I'm not *that* bothered, I just would have liked my first batch of growing in the tunnel to have escaped the worst of the beasties. Clearly that was naive.

[ceiseman]

This appears to be a dung fly (Scathophagidae), and it is definitely not a leafminer. The leaf mines in your photo look like the work of agromyzid fly larvae. Adult agromyzids are much smaller than that dung fly.

[gardening_gal]

Thanks ceiseman, I've just googled dung fly and I think you're right, that would seem to be what is visiting my tunnel. In groups!