Colombine Leaf Miner

Example of leaf miner damage on columbine in my garden. Many plants, including edible leaves, are attacked by them. Leaf miners are the larvae of various beetles, flies, moths and sawflies. The adults lay their eggs on the leaf and the larvae burrow into the leaf and tunnel through it feeding as it travels and leaving behind a transparent trail.

Control - remove affected leaves and discard in the trash, do not compost. In early spring before adults lay eggs, plant can be sprayed with insecticide. Read the label on the bottle and follow instructions.

Sharon Cohee, Kent Master Gardener