Carrot fly
Encyclopedia
The carrot fly is a pest of gardens and farms, and mainly affects the crop of carrot
s, but can also attack parsnip
s, parsley
and celery
.It is a member of the family Psilidae
(order Diptera
).
s feed on the outer layers of the carrot root. In autumn they may penetrate further into the root. The larvae are legless and up to 10 mm in length.
may be used as a floating mulch to cover the crop. Some plants such as Rosemary, Sage, and Marigold are used to deter the carrot fly. Newer varieties of carrot which claim to be resistant to carrot fly (e.g. "Flyaway") may be used.
in Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta (1794)) was itself preoccupied by Musca rosae (De Geer
1776), which was itself a synonym of the hoverfly
species Musca pyrastri Linnaeus, 1758 (now Scaeva pyrastri
). The new name of Chamaepsila hennigi was proposed for the Carrot fly by Thompson & Pont in 1994. As the name rosae Fabricius was well known for this major crop pest, applications were made to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
for suppression of the name rosae of De Geer and the conservation of rosae of Fabricius. In 2006 they ruled under their plenary power
s that rosae Fabricius, 1794 was not to be regarded as invalid by reason of being a junior primary homonym of Musca rosae De Geer, 1776.
Carrot
The carrot is a root vegetable, usually orange in colour, though purple, red, white, and yellow varieties exist. It has a crisp texture when fresh...
s, but can also attack parsnip
Parsnip
The parsnip is a root vegetable related to the carrot. Parsnips resemble carrots, but are paler than most carrots and have a sweeter taste, especially when cooked. The buttery, slightly spicy, sweet flavor of cooked mature parsnips is reminiscent of butterscotch, honey, and subtle cardamom...
s, parsley
Parsley
Parsley is a species of Petroselinum in the family Apiaceae, native to the central Mediterranean region , naturalized elsewhere in Europe, and widely cultivated as an herb, a spice and a vegetable.- Description :Garden parsley is a bright green hairless biennial herbaceous plant in temperate...
and celery
Celery
Apium graveolens is a plant species in the family Apiaceae commonly known as celery or celeriac , depending on whether the petioles or roots are eaten: celery refers to the former and celeriac to the latter. Apium graveolens grows to 1 m tall...
.It is a member of the family Psilidae
Psilidae
Psilidae is family of two-winged flies. Commonly called the rust flies, there are at least 38 species in 4 genera. The Carrot fly is a member of this group.-Family Description:...
(order Diptera
Diptera
Diptera , or true flies, is the order of insects possessing only a single pair of wings on the mesothorax; the metathorax bears a pair of drumstick like structures called the halteres, the remnants of the hind wings. It is a large order, containing an estimated 240,000 species, although under half...
).
Larvae
It is the larvae of the carrot fly that harms crops. The creamy-yellow maggotMaggot
In everyday speech the word maggot means the larva of a fly ; it is applied in particular to the larvae of Brachyceran flies, such as houseflies, cheese flies, and blowflies, rather than larvae of the Nematocera, such as mosquitoes and Crane flies...
s feed on the outer layers of the carrot root. In autumn they may penetrate further into the root. The larvae are legless and up to 10 mm in length.
Symptoms of infestation
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.Control
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 60 cm high. Alternatively horticultural fleeceHorticultural fleece
Horticultural fleece is a thin, unwoven, polypropylene fabric that is used as a floating mulch to protect early crops and other delicate plants from cold weather, frost, and insect pests...
may be used as a floating mulch to cover the crop. Some plants such as Rosemary, Sage, and Marigold are used to deter the carrot fly. Newer varieties of carrot which claim to be resistant to carrot fly (e.g. "Flyaway") may be used.
Latin Name
The original species name of Musca rosae (FabriciusJohan Christian Fabricius
Johan Christian Fabricius was a Danish zoologist, specialising in "Insecta", which at that time included all arthropods: insects, arachnids, crustaceans and others...
in Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta (1794)) was itself preoccupied by Musca rosae (De Geer
Charles De Geer
Baron Charles de Geer was a Swedish industrialist and entomologist.- Life :...
1776), which was itself a synonym of the hoverfly
Hoverfly
Hoverflies, sometimes called flower flies or syrphid flies, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae eat a wide range of foods...
species Musca pyrastri Linnaeus, 1758 (now Scaeva pyrastri
Scaeva pyrastri
Scaeva pyrastri is a European species of hoverfly.It is a large distinctive fly with three pairs of white comma markings on the abdomen, these are yellow on Scaeva selenitica...
). The new name of Chamaepsila hennigi was proposed for the Carrot fly by Thompson & Pont in 1994. As the name rosae Fabricius was well known for this major crop pest, applications were made to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature is an organization dedicated to "achieving stability and sense in the scientific naming of animals". Founded in 1895, it currently comprises 28 members from 20 countries, mainly practicing zoological taxonomists...
for suppression of the name rosae of De Geer and the conservation of rosae of Fabricius. In 2006 they ruled under their plenary power
Plenary power
A plenary power or plenary authority is the separate identification, definition, and complete vesting of a power or powers or authority in a governing body or individual, to choose to act on a particular subject matter or area...
s that rosae Fabricius, 1794 was not to be regarded as invalid by reason of being a junior primary homonym of Musca rosae De Geer, 1776.