Allotments 4 All

Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: scumpy on September 12, 2005, 13:10:16

Title: Maggot like bugs on my leeks
Post by: scumpy on September 12, 2005, 13:10:16

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??????????

Title: Re: Maggot like bugs on my leeks
Post by: Icyberjunkie on September 12, 2005, 21:14:31

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

Title: Re: Maggot like bugs on my leeks
Post by: westsussexlottie on September 13, 2005, 11:41:12

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.

Title: Re: Maggot like bugs on my leeks
Post by: Icyberjunkie on September 14, 2005, 13:31:58

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

Title: Re: Maggot like bugs on my leeks
Post by: westsussexlottie on September 14, 2005, 15:52:45

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.

Title: Re: Maggot like bugs on my leeks
Post by: Icyberjunkie on September 14, 2005, 19:09:39

Quote from: westsussexlottie on September 14, 2005, 15:52:45

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?

Title: Re: Maggot like bugs on my leeks
Post by: redimp on September 14, 2005, 22:06:12

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

Title: Re: Maggot like bugs on my leeks
Post by: Icyberjunkie on September 15, 2005, 16:06:12

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!!

Title: Re: Maggot like bugs on my leeks
Post by: scumpy on September 19, 2005, 11:31:14

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.