Serpentine Leaf Miner: Brief History and Summary of a Decade of Control Measures in South Florida1

Abstract

Insignificant infestations of the serpentine leaf miner, Liriomyza pusilla (Meig.), previous to 1945 increased to destructive populations in 1947 and in later years. Infestations occur on beans, cabbage, okra, peas, potatoes, tomatoes and other vegetable crop plants. Many pre- and past-DDT developed toxicants were used in field experiments to determine their effectiveness. Certain of the chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides such as chlordane, lindane, toxaphene and aldrin, were effective in initial experiments but become ineffective after 1 to 3 seasons. Certain of the phosphorus insecticides such as parathion, EPN and Diazanon, gave outstanding to excellent prevention of leaf mines. There is some evidence that parathion is not so effective after 10 years as it was initially. Diazinon is currently recommended.