Bug Identifier
Tomato leafminer (likely)
Community identification

Tomato leafminer (likely)

Liriomyza spp.

Order & Family
Diptera; Agromyzidae
Size
Adults are about 1.5–2.5 mm long; the winding leaf mines are typically less than 1 mm wide.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Larvae mine leaves of tomatoes and other vegetable, ornamental, and weedy plants; adults occur around cultivated gardens and fields.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed within leaf tissue, creating pale, winding mines. Adults feed on plant juices and may puncture leaves to lay eggs or feed.

Behavior Patterns

Females puncture leaves and deposit eggs; larvae tunnel between leaf surfaces, then exit to pupate in soil or on foliage. Several generations can occur during warm weather.

Risks & Benefits

Heavy infestations reduce photosynthesis, stunt young plants, and can cause leaf drop, though established plants often tolerate light damage. They are not dangerous to humans; beneficial parasitoid wasps commonly help control them.