Leaf Miner
About Leaf Miner
Lives on aspen, cottonwood and other poplars.
Larvae and moths are similar in appearance to aspen blotch miners in which young larvae are white or cream- colored and very flat, while older larvae are more cylindrical and 4 to 5 mm long. moths have a wingspread of 6 to 17 mm and have elongated diagonal markings. Larvae appear in spring and pupate within the mines during July and August; adults emerge during August.
Leaf miners overwinter as adult moths. In spring eggs are laid near the tips of young leaves and larvae emerge a few days later. During summer larvae feed and construct winding tunnels within the leaves. There is one generation per year.
Severe infestation will reduce height growth and, if left unchecked for several years, can kill trees.
To Control
Spray leaves with chlorpyrifos.