Carrot Rust Fly - Psila rosae

Larvae, 8 mm Carrot Rust Fly, adult     Typical damage to carrots                                surecrop.com                                                           Whitney Cranshaw
                                                                                                                Colorado State University
                                                                                                          www.ipmimages.org

HOSTS: Carrots, celery.

DESCRIPTION: Adults are housefly look-alikes with yellow heads. Larvae are yellow-white maggots.

LIFE CYCLE: Pupae overwinter in the soil. Flies emerge in spring. Eggs are laid in moist soil near host plants; larvae feed on roots and on plant tissue near soil line. The cycle occurs over 2-3 months, and 2 generations may occur in a season depending on weather.

CONTROLS:

Cultural: Plant late to avoid larva cycle (after June 1). Avoid following sod with your carrot crop. Cover crop with row covers as soon as seedlings emerge. Don’t harvest late in the year and don’t overwinter carrots in the soil.

Biological: Apply parasitic nematodes to soil in late spring. Keep soil moist after application.


Missoula County Extension Office; Missoula, Montana 59808 - Updated for 2006