Leaf Miners

The larvae of several different families of small moths are the most common foliage-mining pests in the landscape.  These leaf miners feed inside the leaves, needles, shoots, or buds.  Leaf miners cause off-color patches, trailing patterns, or holes in leaves.  Severe infestations can slow plant growth, but established plants are rarely killed by these insects.  Pruning out and disposing infested foliage along with insecticide applications will help keep these insects under control.