Garlic insect

Question: I understand you no longer have an entomologist, but if you can give this a shot I would appreciate it.  Recently my garlic has started leaning over and lower leaves dying back.  I pulled a few bulbs and on two I found a small brown insect. I assume the garlic is fine to eat, but the bulbs weren’t very big. Also some were starting to split and one was deformed.  Thanks!

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 14, 2023, 3:14 PM EDT
response: The insect pictured resembles an Allium Leafminer (pupa, the stage in the life cycle between larva and adult). This is a somewhat-new pest for our area but it's becoming more widespread. The linked page provides information and a brief video about their habits and treatment/prevention options. Affected bulbs should be fine to eat as long as they don't have any secondary rot taking advantage of the tissue damage caused by the insect as it fed.  As for the bulb deformity, it's probably due to environmental conditions and it's not too uncommon for bulbs to split or not form properly. Bulbs can split if left in the ground too long and can also be caused by low soil moisture. (Unless you have been monitoring plants for watering needs, our current drought may partially be to blame.) If the root systems of the affected plants are unusually small when harvested, then it's possible that they were stressed by poor soil conditions, weed competition, close spacing, or some other environmental factors. We'd suggest harvesting all bulbs and using the small cloves first since they may not store very well.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 15, 2023, 5:52 PM EDT
response: Oh no!!!Investing in row covers is the future.  I probably should have left the straw mulch down for better moisture control.Thanks for the information Miri.JaniceSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 3:15 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 16, 2023, 8:59 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 29, 2023, 10:05 AM EDT
response: I pulled all the garlic, dug out the pupae I could find (a lot) and am drying out the garlic. I immersed residual plant material in a bucket of water to drown any remaining pupae.  It’s been cooking in the sun for a week.  Once I trim the garlic I will do the same with that plant material as well.  Would it be safe to then dump that on my compost pile?   I just planted tomatoes and herbs in that bed.  Is that ok or did I need to take the bed out of production? Thanks again!

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 29, 2023, 10:30 AM EDT
response: It should be fine to dump the debris on a compost pile, especially if you hot-compost so temperatures in the pile reach levels that can kill most insects and disease organisms in the plant debris. Allium Leafminer does not feed on tomatoes and herbs (though Allium-genus herbs like chives might be at risk as an exception) so they are not at risk of damage from this particular pest.  Miri