How to Identify and Control Root Maggots Anthomyiidae
The sun is blazing down on your vegetable patch, and as the day heats up, you notice your cabbage is looking a little wilted.
That’s weird, the soil seemed moist enough when you checked early this morning…
Turning into a sleuth, you inspect the leaves. They’re free of pests, but you notice they’ve got a yellow tinge.
You pull a plant out of the ground and – aha! There are small holes tunneling into the roots.
As you hold the root up to get a closer look, a tiny white larva pops out, wondering who turned on the light.
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Root maggots aren’t a fun find, but we’ve got everything you need to know about these insects covered in this guide, including control options!
Here’s what we’ll talk about:
What Are Root Maggots?
Root maggots are part of the Anthomyiidae family in the Diptera order. There are about 39 genera and 640 North American species.
Some are harmless or even beneficial, feeding on decaying matter and feces, or preying on other insects. And the adults of some species are important pollinators, such as those in the Crinurina and Fucellia genera.
The ones we as gardeners need to be worried about are those in the immature stages that like to feed on the stems and roots of our crops. Many of the most common pest maggot species are in the Delia genus.
The larvae burrow into the fleshy roots and bulbs of a wide variety of crops, including onions, carrots, and cabbages, causing the plants’ growth to be stunted and leaves to turn yellow.
The primary symptom though, is wilting, especially during periods of hot and dry weather.
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