[Nikki_1]

Hi,

I'm very new to growing veg so I need a little help.

I have just pulled up a few of my onions and under the first layer or two are little brown/burgundy bugs.     They are small, about 6-8mm.  

I've looked in my books and around on the web but I can't find any photos that look like it except for one of a Allium Leaf Miner pupae.

A guy further up the plot told me earlier this year that he lost all his leeks last year to some little bugs but he didn't go into detail.

My plot is in Sandwell, West Mids.

Any advise? I'll remember to take my camera next time and see if I can get a photo.

[gobs]

I don't know what they are, but if your onion looks healthy, stop worrying.

Onion fly larvae IS  in the onion, you can't miss it.

[Hole Digger]

Hi Nikki, Ime afraid i think you have the dreaded allium leaf miner,the midlands and mid stafford shire seems to have been really badly infested the last few years,my only advice is to cover with enviromesh when you plant out,and keep covered until june at the earliest.Oh and burn all onions that are affected before the pupae hatches

[gobs]

Well, if you think it's allium leaf miner, you got to notify it to defra, I'm afraid, it's so much just setting foot in the UK, they don't have a clue as to it's life cycle on this climate.

[subaru]

Hi

It could be onion fly. Adults look like small house flys and the creamy coloured maggots eat the roots then burrow into the bulb. Late spring to early summer is prime time for this.There is no effective treatment and the only thing you can do is pull up and destroy the crop to prevent the maggots pupating and then spreading the problem with a second brood.

Subaru.

[neil1967]

Hi Nikki and welcome.

sorry don't have an answer but as my plot is at pound road Oldbury so also Sandwell based i was wondering if you're close enough for me to be worrying about the 400+ onions and 250 leeks i'm growing.

Neil

[Hole Digger]

Well, if you think it's allium leaf miner, you got to notify it to defra, I'm afraid, it's so much just setting foot in the UK, they don't have a clue as to it's life cycle on this climate.

                             Hi gobs, Have notified defra this year and last year they dont seem that concerned as yet ,it doesn't seem to have got into the commercial crop as yet,i think the insectisides the farmers are using is keeping it at bay,of course were not allowed to use anything like that anymore,so we have a problem. :!:

[gobs]

Well, if you think it's allium leaf miner, you got to notify it to defra, I'm afraid, it's so much just setting foot in the UK, they don't have a clue as to it's life cycle on this climate.

                             Hi gobs, Have notified defra this year and last year they dont seem that concerned as yet ,it doesn't seem to have got into the commercial crop as yet,i think the insectisides the farmers are using is keeping it at bay,of course were not allowed to use anything like that anymore,so we have a problem. :!:

They are usually not that concerned with you, but if they know, then there is a national info on mapping, spread and life cycle developed, which helps for the future for everybody.

Actually, I have no up-date info from 20003/04 being present in West Midlands.  :?

[Hole Digger]

I can assure you it has been present here in the midlands for at least 7 years, i first had a problem with it in autumn planted leeks 5 years ago and last year out of 60 allotments 95% were affected, personally i lost all spring sown onions ,shallots and garlic,so over here were very concerned at not being able to grow alliums without fully covering up.

[gobs]

Well, you see, nobody seems to be aware of that. 2003 it is when first registered as present in the country.

[gobs]

Well, I think, DD would spot it anyway, 5 years ago was 2003. :roll: