leaf miner

noun

: any of various small insects (such as moths or dipteran flies) that in the larval stages burrow in and eat the parenchyma of leaves

Examples of leaf miner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The plant is host to an insect called the leaf miner which tunnels through foliage. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024 Cut back plants in fall, or earlier if the plant dies back from heat, to reduce leaf miner populations. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024 The reason behind this practice is that worm castings contain an enzyme known as chitinase that breaks down chitin, the major constituent in the exoskeleton of many insects, including whiteflies, aphids, and leaf miners, as well as spider mites. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 10 Aug. 2024 Insect Infestation Insects, such as leaf miners, mites, aphids, and thrips, are the most common cause of lemon tree leaves curling, Silvasy says. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for leaf miner 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leaf miner.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leaf miner was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near leaf miner

Cite this Entry

“Leaf miner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leaf%20miner. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

leaf miner

noun
: any of various small insects that as larvae burrow in and eat the tissue of leaves

More from Merriam-Webster on leaf miner

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