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Home > Pest Survey & Management > Pest Information > Leek Moth

Leek Moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella

The leek moth is native to Europe where it is a serious pest of onions and leeks.  It Leek Moth adultwas first discovered in North America in the Ottawa area of Ontario, Canada in 1993.  It has not been detected in the continental United States, but it is an established pest in Hawaii.

The leek moth is known to attack Allium spp ., including onion, leek, garlic, shallot, and chive.  Adult moths emerge in the spring and can lay up to 100 eggs on the lower surfaces of leaves.  Hatched larvae mine through the leaves as they progress inward toward the heart of the plant, occasionally attacking the bulb and the stem.  Most plant damage is reported at the perimeter of a field.

Symptoms of leek moth infestation include mining and pinhole damage on inner leaves.   Plants may look unsightly and distorted because of this damage and rotting may occur.

For more information visit these sites:

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS)
USDA-APHIS-PPQ
Fact sheet (England, U.K.)

 

If you suspect leek moth damage or presence in your Allium crops, please notify the Maine Department of Agriculture (207) 287-3891.