I picked my first lot of peas yesterday and they were lovely. However, several of the pods had at least one pea with a tiny maggot hole in it although there was no visible damage to the pod from the outside. The same thing happened last year and got worse as the season went on. I have planted several lots of peas in succession this year (just can't get enough of 'em!) and it would be good to know if there is anything I can do to keep the maggots away.
Apparently covering the plants with enviromesh works. My peas are six feet or so tall so I haven't tried it!
And as to how the maggot gets in, the eggs are laid in the flower and the pod grows around the emerging grubs forcing them to eat their way out.
Earlier and later sowings can avoid most of the pea moths... :)
spray peas before they get in, a bit of bug killer ;D.
I had no pea moth caterpillars at all last year. I think the last two summers have hammered them, like so many other insects. They'll be on their way back now, unfortunately.
I harvested my first pea meal last night and had them with my new potatoes and minted lamb chops. :P :P :P ;D ;D ;D