Leaf mines are usually on the ventral leaf surface, except in heavy infestations when both leaf surfaces are used. As with similar leafminers, larvae are protected within the leaf during their feeding cycle. Larvae have 4 instars and development takes from 5-20 days. Pupation is within the mine in a special pupal cell at the leaf margin, under a slight curl of the leaf. Pupal development takes 6-22 days.
Adults live for only a few days.
Florida generations are produced about every 3 weeks. A pheromone to attract males of CLM has been developed in Japan by Ando et al. Most work has been done using chemical control, especially in India. In Florida, chemical control recommendations are still being evaluated, but biological control and semiochemical trapping may be the most likely methods to help reduce populations of CLM in the long run. Badawy, A. 1967.