[Anton]

Dear Allotment Gardeners,

I read somewhere that the leek fly lays its grubs twice a year (once in the first two weeks of August, I think). Can someone confirm the dates please, as I want to lay fleece on them during both periods if possible? The lleeks got attacked last year in August.

Anton

[Aidy]

Not sure about the leek fly, me-self never heard of it, heard of onion fly and regarding dates I would say it depends on the weather, the leek in my opinion is less likey to get attacked, one of the rules is to weed either at night or on windy days like you would with your carrots, I cant remember losing a leek to fly unlike onions.

[Anton]

Thanks, Aidy. I read an article about this last year (can't find it anymore) and it's a fly that originated here on the continent, apparently, but has started spreading throughout southern England. My father-in-laws' leeks were wiped out completely last July but I sprayed mine with a kind of tobacco tea, which, hopefully, killed some of the grubs. It seemed to slow down the progress of the attack, at any rate.

Anton

[Anton]

I've just found the article again and it was issued by a UK organisation (it's a moth not a fly, sorry)
Even if you've never seen it, Aidy, forwarned is forarmed. Here's the link

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0805/leek_moth.asp


Anton

[Aidy]

They will probably get nose bleeds this far up north, I decide this year not to do onions as I was wiped out last year and the leeks as I said have always done ok. Time will tell!!

[WG.]

I've just found the article again and it was issued by a UK organisation (it's a moth not a fly, sorry)
Even if you've never seen it, Aidy, forwarned is forarmed. Here's the link

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0805/leek_moth.asp


Anton

The article answers your original question too.