Since this leafminer has been confused with closely related species for a long time, the extent of its distribution is not known precisely. Host Plants - Closely related to the serpentine leafminer which feeds almost exclusively on crucifers, the vegetable leafminer infests a wide variety of plants. Some economically important weed and cultivated crop hosts include squash, okra, pea, tomato, bean, cabbage, turnip, potato, tobacco, cotton, radish, spinach, watermelon, beet, pepper, alfalfa, clover, vetch, and plantain. Damage - Like serpentine leafminers, vegetable leafminers create lightly colored, irregularly winding mines in leaves. The mines are generally S-shaped and may be enlarged at one end.
Infested leaves are favorable habitats for invading bacterial and fungal plant pathogens.
Severe infestations may cause the foliage to turn brown and appear burned. Damaging infestations are most likely to occur after crops have been treated weekly with insecticides such as methomyl or carbaryl. These pesticides kill parasitic wasps which normally keep the leafminer populations at acceptable levels. Life History - Vegetable leafminers feed and breed year round in the southern areas of Florida and Texas. In North Carolina, they overwinter in soil as pupae.