This small caterpillar larva mines the leaves of apple (primary host) and sometimes cherry, prune and pear. High populations in late summer can reduce fruit size in certain varieties. Parasites usually keep numbers down below damaging levels. Most years yield three complete generations and sometimes a partial fourth. They overwinter as pupae in fallen leaves.

Management Options

Non-Chemical Management

Pinching mines when first seen (on dwarf varieties) can help suppress later generations.
If mines average 2 or fewer per leaf - expect no serious impact to tree or fruit production.
Rake fallen leaves and dispose of them in the trash. Do not compost or bury leaf debris from infested trees.

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

None recommended

Images

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Caption: Apple tentiform leafminer damage Photo by: J.F. Brunner

WSU Extension

Hortsense