Insect
Carrot Fly
A small black fly whose cream larvae tunnel through carrot roots from the outside in, creating rusty brown tunnels and enabling rot to set in.
Symptoms to Look For
- Rusty brown tunnels in the outer carrot flesh when roots are pulled
- Foliage turning red-bronze and wilting in older plants
- Seedlings collapsing as roots are destroyed underground
Affected Plants
CarrotParsnipCeleryParsley
Organic Solutions
Physical barriers
Erect a 60 cm tall barrier of fine insect mesh or fleece around carrot beds - adults fly low and are stopped by the fence.
Insect mesh cover
Cover carrot rows with fine insect-proof netting from sowing through to harvest to exclude egg-laying females completely.
Prevention
- Avoid thinning carrots in the evening when the fly is most active - crush thinnings to minimise smell
- Grow resistant varieties such as Flyaway or Resistafly which are significantly less attractive to females
- Sow after late May to miss the main spring generation, or sow under cover and transplant carefully
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.