Insect
Onion Fly
A grey fly resembling a small housefly whose larvae tunnel into the base of onion bulbs and roots, causing plants to collapse and rot.
Symptoms to Look For
- Young plants wilting and yellowing at the tips from the seedling stage
- Plants lifting out of the ground with the bulb rotted away
- White maggots feeding inside bulbs at soil level
Affected Plants
OnionShallotGarlicLeek
Organic Solutions
Insect mesh cover
Cover allium crops with fine insect netting from sowing or planting through to harvest to exclude egg-laying adults.
Grow from sets
Plant onion sets rather than sowing from seed - sets establish quickly and are less vulnerable during the most susceptible seedling stage.
Prevention
- Rotate alliums to fresh ground each year as pupae overwinter in the soil
- Remove and destroy any infested plants immediately to prevent maggots completing development
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.