Carrot Rust Fly
Carrot Rust Fly  Carrot rust fly can be a serious problem. Small shiny black flies lay eggs on the host plants, starting in late spring. The larvae are creamy white, up to ½ in(1cm) long. Pupae, and some larvae overwinter in soil and roots of carrot and parsnip. There are to 2 to 3 generation of carrot rust fly per year with the first generation causing the most damage. Susceptible Plants- Besides carrots, it also attacks other plants including parsnips, celery, celeriac, chervil, and parsley. Symptoms- Young seedling can be killed. The first sign of attack on mature plants is often the reddening of foliage and stunted growth. The roots have rusty brown irregular tunnels eaten away just below the skin. The larvae of carrot rust fly may be visible. Prevention and Control- Avoid growing carrots in sheltered sites, the preferred areas for carrot rust flies. Delay sowing until June to avoid first generation attack. Harvest crops in late autumn. Some cultivars are said to be less susceptible. Sow seed thinly to avoid the need for thinning; the carrot rust fly can be attracted by the smell of bruised foliage. If thinning is necessary remove all the thinning debris immediately and water to firm the soil. Grow one row of carrots in between four rows of onion to mask the smell. This is only effective before the onions begin to form bulbs in early to mid summer and may not be effective on a small scale. Adult rust fly can be controlled in a greenhouse or outdoors with Sticky Traps. or Tangle-Trap Insect Trap Coating Paste .jpg) Certain conditions favor carrot rust fly infestations. Such conditions include A previous history of rust fly infestations; consecutive annual plantings of susceptible crops, soils with high organic matter content; abundant carrot rust fly weed hosts in area, fields surrounded by brush and woods, and fields adjacent to homes and other buildings. Although avoiding such practices will help, no "magic" cures exist. By the very nature of home garden plantings and the way they are managed, most of these conditions would be impossible to avoid. Thus home gardens are normally vulnerable to carrot rust fly build-up.
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