Topic: Maggot like bugs on my leeks

[scumpy]

My leeks have been growing well until today.
A few plants were looking a bit sad with the main leaves drooping, closer inspection showed the middle had gone soft and a little maggot like bug inside.
Help what do I do?????????????? Can they be saved??????????

[Icyberjunkie]

Oo err I scrapped a few plants today for the same reason but didn't look close enough for a bug because they stank of something horrible!

I did a search and found this which sounds possible...

http://www.allotments.fsnet.co.uk/leekmoth.html

Can anyone suggest anything else from experience?

Iain

[westsussexlottie]

sounds like Leek Moth to me. Now quite common in the South of England.
Can be avoided by using fine mesh like enviromesh from when you first plant them out.

[Icyberjunkie]

Does derris work against them or are they protected because they are down inside the leaf?

[westsussexlottie]

I think you would be very lucky to get rid of them once infested - due to their location deep inside the leaf I would think derris would only have partial effect.

[Icyberjunkie]

I think you would be very lucky to get rid of them once infested - due to their location deep inside the leaf I would think derris would only have partial effect.

Is the only option to rip them up then or is there potential for the leek to grow through the problem?

[redimp]

From a purely selfish point of view is it something I have to worry about ooop north (or in the east midlands anyway)?

[Icyberjunkie]

I have no idea redclanger but for your sake I hope not - they make a slimy stinking mess of the leek so it'd be nice if you could avoid them!!

[scumpy]

Thanks for the replies.

Quick update

Treated with Derris, some plants seem to have survived and new growth is appearing from the middle, fingers crossed i will still have a few leeks to harvest.