Carrot fly
| Carrot fly | |
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Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Psilidae |
| Genus: | Chamaepsila |
| Species: | C. rosae
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| Binomial name | |
| Chamaepsila rosae | |
| Synonyms | |
Thecarrot fly(Chamaepsila rosae) is a pest of gardens and farms, and mainly affects the crop ofcarrots,but can also attackparsnips,parsleyandcelery.It is a member of the familyPsilidae(orderDiptera).[2][3]
Larvae
[edit]Crop damage is caused by the creamy-yellow larvae (maggots) feeding on the outer layers of the carrot root. In autumn, they may penetrate further into the root. The legless larvae are up to 10 mm in length.[2]
Symptoms of infestation
[edit]Foliage becomes wilted and discoloured. Leaves turn rusty red to scarlet with some yellowing. Rusty-brown tunnels are seen under the outer skin of mature roots.[2]
Control
[edit]The flies lay their eggs around the developing carrots; the larvae, once hatched, burrow into the root. As female carrot flies are very low flying, the best method of prevention is to erect a barrier around the crop at least 2 feet (60 cm) high. Alternativelyhorticultural fleecemay be used as a floating mulch to cover the crop. Because the carrot fly is attracted to host plants by odor,masking the smell of the host plant by planting odoriferous companion crops such as onions, chives, and garlic can successfully deter attack.[4][failed verification]Intermi xing of crops can also be a fruitful way to confuse and avoid carrot fly attack. Some plants such as rosemary and sage are also used to deter the carrot fly. Newer varieties of carrot which claim to be resistant to carrot fly (e.g. "Flyaway" ) may be used.[2] Another method of control is to use heavier, fine plastic mesh available from garden centers and over the internet made specially for the purpose. This can be in the form of a surrounding wall or a complete "cage". Some form of support framework is necessary to prevent the netting from flattening the foliage. Also the bottom of the netting needs to be in close contact or buried in the soil as it is believed that the eggs are laid on bare soil. When the maggots hatch they then crawl towards the carrots so a soil level barrier is necessary.
Commercially available beneficialnematodes(Steinernemaspp.) can be applied to the soil surrounding the carrot crop, where they will infect the damaging carrot root fly larvae.
Latin name
[edit]The original species name ofMusca rosae(FabriciusinEntomologia systematica emendata et aucta(1794)) was originally occupied byMusca rosae(De Geer1776), which was itself a synonym for thehoverflyspeciesMusca pyrastriLinnaeus, 1758 (nowScaeva pyrastri). The new name ofChamaepsila hennigiwas proposed for the Carrot fly by Thompson & Pont in 1994. As the namerosaeFabricius was well known for this major crop pest, applications were made to theInternational Commission on Zoological Nomenclaturefor suppression of the namerosaeof De Geer and the conservation ofrosaeof Fabricius. In 2006 they ruled under theirplenary powersthatrosaeFabricius, 1794 was not to be regarded as invalid by reason of being a junior primaryhomonymofMusca rosaeDe Geer, 1776.[5]
References
[edit]- ^abcFabricius, J.C. (1794).Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta. Vol. 4.Hafniae [=Copenhagen]: C. G. Proft. pp. [6] + 472 + [5] pp.
- ^abcdChristopher Brickell (2002).The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Gardening.Dorling Kindersley.ISBN0-7513-0862-5.
- ^Collin, J.E. (1944). "The British species of Psilidae (Diptera)".Entomologist's Monthly Magazine.80.London: 214–224.
- ^Andrews, Nick."Carrot Rust Fly Biology & Management".smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/.Oregon State University.Retrieved2 February2016.
- ^Chandler, Peter J. (1998).Checklists of Insects of the British Isles (New Series) Part 1: Diptera.Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects.Vol. 12. London:Royal Entomological Society of London.pp. 1–234.ISBN0-901546-82-8.
External links
[edit]| Culinary usage | |
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| Related topics | |
