Corn Leafminer

In California, like most of the U. S., leafminers cause little or no economic damage in corn. After hatching, the larvae burrow into the leaves where they tunnel between the upper and lower leaf surface. Larvae feed on the mesophyll, leaving behind transparent tunnels or mines. As the maggots grow the mines increase in size, and the larvae form blotchy mines rather than the more familiar serpentine mines commonly observed on vegetables. (The parallel venation of the corn leaves prevents t