ZonePlant

Pest on crop

Onion Maggot on leek

Delia antiqua

Fly whose larvae tunnel into onion bulbs and roots, causing rot and stunted plants. Three generations per year in most US zones.

Pest
Onion Maggot
Scientific name
Delia antiqua
Crop
Leek
Total hosts
4

Onion Maggot on leek

Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.

Signs on leek

  • Wilting of young onion plants
  • Tunneled bulbs with secondary rot
  • Maggots visible in damaged tissue when bulb is split
  • Yellow leaves on affected plants

IPM controls

  • Floating row cover from planting through bulb formation
  • Crop rotation away from previous onion beds
  • Avoid heavy organic amendments in onion beds (attract egg-laying flies)
  • Beneficial nematodes (Steinernema) applied to soil at planting

Other crops affected by onion maggot

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