LEAF MINERS

There are a some 700 species of leaf miners affecting specific species; they are the small larvae from a fly that burrow into leaves doing considerable damage on the way, the insect is usually detectable at the end of its burrow. Frequently seen types are: pyracantha leaf-mining moth, laburnum leaf-mining moth, leaving brown and grey blotches in its wake. Apple leaf mining moth produces whitish or brown lines in the leaves.

The mine is a long, narrow and sinuous tunnel which can be seen as a whitish or brown line on the upper leaf surface. In late summer some apple trees can have a large proportion of their leaves mined and some leaves may contain many caterpillars. This can result in areas of leaves dying and dropping off. When the larvae have finished feeding they emerge from the leaf and spin small silken cocoons, which are suspended like hammocks from the underside of the leaf.