Boxwood Leafminer Fact Sheet

Leafminers on boxwood shrubs.

Boxwood leafminer fact sheet.

Long distance spread of the pathogen is through the movement of infected nursery material. This fact sheet from clemson includes using spinosad for control when the leafminers are present in the leaves. Dispose of the clippings. It is difficult to control the adult leafminers because of their short adult.

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

Japonica japanese boxwood b. See section titled insects related pests. Close up of boxwood leafminer larvae. 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.

Merit marathon and generics and dinotefuran e g. 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. Remove and destroy severely affected plants. Severely shearing the foliage before adult emergence or after egg laying ends will reduce the overall population.

Effective control options for boxwood leafminer include applications of neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid e g. Microphylla littleleaf boxwood and var. This should eliminate the need to use an insecticide. These flies are less than inch long and can often be seen swarming around boxwoods in the spring.

Boxwood leafminers over winter as partially grown larvae in the leaf blisters. 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. Boxwoods buxus spp are enjoyed in a range of landscapes as hedges or screens background plantings topiary pieces and other uses.