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ArborCare/ArborScape, Inc. has been serving the Wasatch Front since 1985.
Our services are tailored to the specific needs of each customer for enhancing their landscape.
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ArborCare-ArborScape Information (Birch Leaf Miners)
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What Are Birch Leaf Miners?
Birch Leaf Miners are small, black sawflies that attack some species of birches, including Gray, Paper, and European White Birches.
Infection from Birch Leaf Miners can be first detected by grayish areas on the leaf surrounding the eggs. Adults emerge around May and lay eggs in the slits in the leaf surface. These hatch within six to ten days and the larvae burrow into the leaf, forming greenish blotches. The larvae feed between the upper and lower surfaces (called mining), beginning at the midrib and continuing outward. The average number of the Leaf Miner larvae in the leaf is seven, but it can range from one to over twenty larvae per leaf. The eaten areas die quickly, turning brown. The blotches spread with feeding and may eventually kill the leaf.
Birch Leaf Miners produce three to four generations per year. After the eggs hatch, the larvae feed for about eight to thirteen days. They then travel down to the soil where they form cocoons and pupate. Adults emerge in about seventeen days. The fourth generation normally does not develop during the current year. Instead, the larvae travel to the soil and overwinter in their cocoons. This generation will mature the following spring.
What Can I Do To Control Birch Leaf Miners?
Unfortunately there are no cultures that will give good control of Birch Leaf Miner. There are a few natural predators, however, which could give some control. There are also some chemicals that will help. Systemic chemicals give better control that contact materials as the larvae are under the leaf's surface. One thing to note is that Birch Leaf Miner will not kill your tree. If the infestation is bad enough, however, it can weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to other insects and diseases, as well as making the Birch tree unattractive.
What Can ArboCare Do For Me?
We offer a both soil and foliar applications for Birch Leaf Miners. The soil treatment is done in the early spring and will control the Leaf Miner all season. We suggest two foliar applications. The first one will be done in the late spring when the adults are emerging. The second one will follow in two to three weeks. Call us at (801)-972-8733 for more information. We can help you with all of landscape needs! |
If you have any questions or would like to speak with an ArborCare representative regarding your tree care needs, please e-mail us at or call us at (801) 972-8733.
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We Employ
Certified Arborists
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