Cabbage Root Fly
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Cabbage Root Fly
 Adults of the cabbage root fly are ¼ in(6mm) long and resemble small horse flies. They leg soil near or occasionally on host plants. Legless white larvae, up to 3/8in(8mm) long feed on roots. Pupae overwinter in the soil. Damage is usually worse in late spring and early summer, but a second generation may continue to damage plants into autumn. Transplants raised in seedbeds, pots and cell packs are also prone to attack.The Cabbage root maggot is most injurious in Canada and the northern U.S. It feeds primarily on crucifers such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, collards, kohlrabi, radish, and turnip. Cabbage maggots eat small fibrous roots and tunnel in stems and large fleshy roots. If severe damage has been done, plants may wilt and die during the heat of the day. Infestations are difficult to detect in radishes and turnips because the tunneling of maggots in these large-rooted crops does not cause the foliage to wilt. cabbage root maggots overwinter as pupae 1/2in to 3 1/2in(2 to 13 cm) deep in the soil.
As the soil warms in spring, adult flies emerge from cocoons, feed on the nectar of flowers, and mate. Appearing as early as April, females soon begin depositing eggs in the soil at or near the base of host plants.
Susceptible Plants- Brassicas, also related to ornamentals, such as wallflowers and stocks. Symptoms- Young plants wilt or grow poorly, are easily pulled out of the ground. Established plants may show no obvious. Damage to root crops(radish, rutabaga, turnip) may make them inedible. Cabbage root fly larvae are occasionally found inside Brussels spouts. Prevention and Control- Cover plants with an Insect Netting Biological Control- .Beneficial Nematodes
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