Symptoms
Serpentine white or pale trails/mines in leaves. Leaf drop in heavy infestations. Small black and yellow adult flies. Most damaging to leafy greens.
Prevention
Use floating row covers. Remove infested leaves. Practice crop rotation. Avoid planting leafy greens near infested crops.
Treatment
Organic
Apply Spinosad. Neem oil spray. Release parasitic wasps (Diglyphus isaea). Sticky traps for monitoring.
Chemical (last resort)
Apply cyromazine or abamectin. Systemic insecticides for severe cases. Follow PHI for edible leafy crops.
Affects 1 crop
Sources
MARDI Leafy Vegetable Guide