How many generations of native holly leafminer are there per year?

How many generations of native holly leafminer are there per year?

• A. One generation per year.
• B. Two generations per year.
• C. Three generations per year.
• D. Continuous generations throughout the year.

Answer: (A)

One generation per year is typical for native holly leafminer in Maryland because its life cycle is constrained by the seasonal growth of holly and winter cold. Adults emerge with the first new holly leaves in spring, lay eggs on those leaves, larvae mine the tissue, and then pupate to produce the next adults. In temperate climates, there isn’t enough time or suitable warm, new leaf tissue for a second complete cohort to develop before winter arrives, so a second generation doesn’t normally occur. As a result, you’ll generally see damage from a single spring-time leafminer generation each year.

One generation per year is typical for native holly leafminer in Maryland because its life cycle is constrained by the seasonal growth of holly and winter cold. Adults emerge with the first new holly leaves in spring, lay eggs on those leaves, larvae mine the tissue, and then pupate to produce the next adults. In temperate climates, there isn’t enough time or suitable warm, new leaf tissue for a second complete cohort to develop before winter arrives, so a second generation doesn’t normally occur. As a result, you’ll generally see damage from a single spring-time leafminer generation each year.