In article
,
" wrote:

On Aug 10, 7:55 am, Pat Kiewicz wrote:
said:



Hello,
Something is eating away at my leeks. Small larvae type grub or worms
2 - 5 mm in size are found well down between the base of the leaves.
They leave behind a trail of mushy green debris. I think that they are
probably onion maggots. Is this possible, and is there anyway of
getting rid of them? I really like my leek and potato soup so any help
or advice is very appreciated.

In my experience, onion maggots are a big threat in the spring to the
underground part of onions, shallots, and leeks. They are white and
look exactly like any other maggot; they have no legs and no obvious
head, unlike a grub or caterpillar. Onion maggots are typically an
early spring threat. The usual first symptom is wilting of the plant,
followed by yellowing.

There is an emerging pest ofleeks and onions that *does* feed on the tops,
the leek moth caterpillar.

Canada:http://www.pestalert.org/Detail.CFM?recordID=25

England (scroll
down):http://www.saundersallotment.co.uk/T...age%20(5).html

I don't know that Bt would be effective against them, as they larvae bore
into the leaves, which would put them quickly out of reach of any surface
applications.

I don't look forward to them ever reaching Plymouth, MI.
--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

After enlightenment, the laundry.

Hello Pat,
I think you may be right, the evidence I see is certainly described in
the Leek Moth article :-(.
I can't feel it possible though to remove the larvae manually, I've
been using soapy water in the hope that it will control, or
exterminate them. They seemed to have left the plants, then all of a
sudden they are back.

This is not a good year for my garden, Leek Moths and Potato Blight,
I've never had problems like this before. I didn't even figure out
that it was Blight until a few days ago so now I have to deal with
that as well.

Thanks again to everyone for the help

John - Ottawa - Zone 5

Perhaps useful .

³Summary
The most successful and economic control of the seedcorn maggot would be
a management system based on the following cultural practices:
1. Ground fallow after previous crop for 6-8 weeks to give a relatively
dry layer 3-5 inches deep. This helps prevent moist soil from being
thrown up in the seed row at planting, which could attract flies from
adjacent fields.

2. Good soil tilth to help prevent cracks and crevices in the seed row
at planting. This prevents egg laying flies from having direct access to
the newly planted seeds.

3. Planting shallow and when soil temperatures and moisture are adequate
for rapid seed germination and plant emergence.

4. Covering over the seed row directly behind the planter by means of
chains and/or rolling; the latter being especially important where
shallow (1-2") planting is desired.

http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/2028/23063.pdf

Bill

--
Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA