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little black bugs on garlic and chives #396594

Asked April 28, 2017, 3:29 PM EDT

I am in Philadelphia, PA. Last year's chives and garlic plants have suddenly (in today's 80+ degrees) temperature) become infested with lots of little black bugs. Did not see them yesterday! (Note attached photos. DID THEY COME THROUGH? IF NOT, HOW ELSE CAN I SEND THEM? DO YOU HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS? I KNOW HOW TO ATTACH PHOTOS.) What are they? How do I get rid of them before I begin to plant other vegies and flowers? All my plantings are on the terraces of an 18th floor apartment in Center City Philly.

Philadelphia County Pennsylvania

Expert Response

We have a new pest of alliums (onion, garlic, leek etc). It's called the Allium leafminer. The infestation looks exactly like what you have except in the pest alert from Penn State, the larvae are lighter in color. Here is a link to the pest alert.

I recommend you take a sample to your local Penn State Extension. Here is a link to their website. Here is a link that tells the proper way to collect a sample. If you can't go to the extension, you can call them so you know what they want you to do with the sample..
An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 29, 2017, 11:44 AM EDT

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