Boxwood Leafminer Fact Sheet

It is difficult to control the adult leafminers because of their short adult.

Boxwood leafminer fact sheet.

These flies are less than inch long and can often be seen swarming around boxwoods in the spring. This should eliminate the need to use an insecticide. In may the adults force the pupal skin out of the mine where it hangs for a few days after the fly a gall midge. See section titled insects related pests.

Boxwood leafminer monarthropalpusi flavus is a common and destructive pest that causes significant damage to boxwoods here in the dayton area although the symptoms are often mistaken for winter injury rather than insect infestation since boxwoods are such a popular shrub it s important to control leafminers so they don t spread to neighboring plants and properties. Leafminers on boxwood shrubs. Remove and destroy severely affected plants. This fact sheet from clemson includes using spinosad for control when the leafminers are present in the leaves.

When the days warm in spring the larvae become active and grow rapidly feeding between the upper and lower leaves for the balance of the summer. Long distance spread of the pathogen is through the movement of infected nursery material. Pruning boxwood back by about 1 3rd to remove the stems with infested leaves will help reduce this pest. Close up of boxwood leafminer larvae.

Effective control options for boxwood leafminer include applications of neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid e g. Insularis korean boxwood b colchica and pachysandra are susceptible. Merit marathon and generics and dinotefuran e g. Dispose of the clippings.

This is the most serious insect pest that attacks boxwood the leafminer is the larva immature form of a small orangish mosquito like fly. As always read and follow label directions paying particular attention to the protection of pollinators restrictions including delaying applications until. Numerous pests and diseases may. Boxwood leafminer monarthropalpus flavus.

Boxwoods buxus spp are enjoyed in a range of landscapes as hedges or screens background plantings topiary pieces and other uses. Japonica japanese boxwood b. Microphylla littleleaf boxwood and var. There are few known natural enemies of the boxwood leafminer.