Pea, green and dry-Leafminer

Includes pea leafminer (Liriomyza huidobrensis)

Pest description and crop damage Adults are small black to gray flies with yellow markings. The body is covered with long stiff bristles. Larvae are a nearly translucent white or yellow color, about 0.25 inch long when mature. Eggs are white, cylindrical, and laid singly or in small groups. Adult leafminers may stunt seedlings by attacking the cotyledons in seeds. Larvae mine between upper and lower leaf surfaces, creating winding, whitish tunnels that initially are narrow but then widen as the larvae grow. Excessive mining renders leaves unmarketable as salad greens, reduces photosynthetic capacity, and provides easy access for disease organisms.

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • bifenthrin (often as a mix with zeta-cypermethrin).
  • carbaryl
  • insecticidal soap-Some formulations OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • kaolin-When applied as a spray to foliage and stems, it acts as a repellent to some insect pests. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • malathion
  • pyrethrins-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • spinosad-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • zeta-cypermethrin

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

  • naled (Dibrom) at 0.94 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 48 hr. Do not apply within 25 ft of an aquatic habitat, 150 ft if applied by air.
  • spinetoram (Radiant SC) at 0.0391 to 0.0781 lb ai/a. PHI 28 days for dry peas, 3 days for fresh peas. Retreatment interval 4 days. REI 4 hr. Do not exceed six applications or 0.94 lb ai/a per season. Do not apply to seedling leafy vegetables grown for transplant within a greenhouse, shade house, or field plot. Follow resistance management procedures on the label.
  • spinosad (Success) at 0.06 to 0.09 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days for succulent peas and 28 days dry peas. REI 4 hr. Treat eggs at hatch and small larvae. Do not exceed 0.45 lb ai/a per season for succulent peas or 0.188 lb ai/a for dry peas. Spinosad takes several days to achieve full effect. Monitor fields and pest populations carefully. Multiple applications may be necessary. Do not feed forage or hay to livestock. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.