Boxwood Leafminer Fact Sheet

This fact sheet from clemson includes using spinosad for control when the leafminers are present in the leaves.

Boxwood leafminer fact sheet. Boxwood leafminer diptera a fly maggot exposed in the tunnel it has eaten between the layers of a boxwood leaf buxus this pest is the most serious pest of this evergreen plant. These flies are less than inch long and can often be seen swarming around boxwoods in the spring. Boxwood leafminer monarthropalpus flavus. This is the most serious insect pest that attacks boxwood the leafminer is the larva immature form of a small orangish mosquito like fly.

American serpentine leafminer liriomyza trifolii beet leafminer pegomya betae birch leafminer fenusa pusilla boxwood leafminer monarthropalpus flavus columbine leafminer phytomyza aquilegivora and p. Japonica japanese boxwood b. Dispose of the clippings. Remove and destroy severely affected plants.

Close up of boxwood leafminer larvae. Microphylla littleleaf boxwood and var. Leafminers on boxwood shrubs. See section titled insects related pests.

Leafminers printable pdf click on images to see larger view among the many leafminers that affect ornamental and vegetable plants are. It occurs everywhere in the usa from the east to the west coast. All varieties of boxwood are susceptible but the slower growing english varieties are less. Severely shearing the foliage before adult emergence or after egg laying ends will reduce the overall population.

Insularis korean boxwood b colchica and pachysandra are susceptible. 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. Pruning boxwood back by about 1 3rd to remove the stems with infested leaves will help reduce this pest. Spinosad is the least toxic to the environment.

Numerous pests and diseases may. This should eliminate the need to use an insecticide. As always read and follow label directions paying particular attention to the protection of pollinators restrictions including delaying applications until. Columbinae pea leafminer liriomyza huidobrensis.

Merit marathon and generics and dinotefuran e g. Boxwoods buxus spp are enjoyed in a range of landscapes as hedges or screens background plantings topiary pieces and other uses. Long distance spread of the pathogen is through the movement of infected nursery material.