The mature boxwood leafminer is a yellow to orange-red fly.
Close examination reveals legs and wings appressed to the body surface.
Imported from Europe, this small fly is a greater pest in the Mountains and Piedmont than in the Coastal Plain. However, infestations can occur wherever boxwoods are grown. All boxwoods may be infested, but more slowly growing English varieties are less susceptible than American varieties. Infested leaves usually become yellowish and are smaller than uninfested leaves. As a result, heavily infested plants assume an unthrifty appearance.