allium bulb with allium leafminer larva
Larvae of the allium leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma) can feed between leaf layers or in the plant bulb (as shown here), and they often overwinter as pupae between leaf layers as well. This larval behavior combined with a short adult lifespan (three to four weeks) can make the pest hard to detect. (Image originally published in Barringer et al 2018, Journal of Integrated Pest Management)