Insect
Carrot Weevil
A bronze-brown weevil 3 - 4 mm long whose larvae tunnel in a C-pattern through carrot taproots and crowns, causing plants to collapse and roots to rot.
Symptoms to Look For
- C-shaped tunnels in the upper portion of carrot roots when pulled
- Plants wilting suddenly in warm weather with the crown hollowed out
- Entry scars on the shoulder of roots where adults fed and laid eggs
Affected Plants
CarrotParsnipCeleryParsley
Organic Solutions
Beneficial nematodes
Apply Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes to moist soil at planting time and again in midsummer to control larvae in the root zone.
Crop rotation
Move all carrot family crops to a completely different bed each year as adults overwinter in field edges and nearby soil.
Prevention
- Avoid planting carrots adjacent to last year's carrot bed
- Cover carrot rows with fine insect mesh to exclude egg-laying adults
- Cultivate soil deeply after harvest to expose overwintering adults and pupae
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.