Brown marks on Borage leaves

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone could share any advice on what may be causing these brown marks on my borage leaves? And what I should do about them.

I have been removing them, but new marks are continuously appearing.

Looking online, I haven't been able to find any specific diseases relating to Borage, but am wondering whether it is some kind of fungal infection?

I have also noticed similar marks on potted Comfrey plants (a different location in the garden) and what I think are dock leaves.

I am worried as I have tomatoes and squash nearby and don't want it to spread.


The first photo is the Comfrey (which looks slightly different as the marks seem to have a slim line running from them) and the second two photos are from the borage.

If the marks are bad (as expected) - any ideas what I should do? I'd be sad to rip them up as I have them as pollinators - but will obviously do so if necessary.

Many thanks in advance!

 

It's leaf miner, there is an insect tunneling between the two outer layers of the leaf.
I usually give the leaf a squeeze, it squashes the grub inside.
If you hold a leaf up to the light you should be able to see the insect.

 

Hi Pete,

Thank you for the very quick response.

Do you think its the same thing for each one (the Borage and the Comfrey) ?

And do you know if there is anything I can do about it? There seem to be new marks on new leaves daily...

 

Sorry - I completely missed the bit about squashing it. I'll give it a try!

 

Probably the same pest, but they do seem to come in generations, if you know what I mean, so if you can kill the grub you could stop another infestation later in the summer.
It stops them becoming adults.

 

I've been squashing the leaves and on most I do get the sensation that I am also squashing something else, so fingers crossed!

 

This is fairly widespread on large leaf plants and I expect it is a common species. Currently I have some on chard, beetroot, rhubarb, tomato and have found it on cauliflower also. It is the larvae stage and will disappear in a couple of weeks. It could be sprayed with a systemic insecticide but I choose to live with it by 'manual suppression ' as described.
www.agrigem.co.uk/agronomist/article/leaf-miners

 

Cheers infradig.
I wish i'd posted on here before cutting off half the leaves, but the plants seem to have survived. For now!