[Cheshire Phill]

Anyone else had problems with parsnips?
Mine have wilted and are dying, and on investigation have browny , rotting roots, with small white maggoty type grubs within the roots.

I'm thinking swift moths, my first time on this allotment and newly cultivated land.

Have destroyed all affected plants, but others nearby (only 2 allotments along) have no worries, BIG parsnips coming on, so does anyone have any tips on what to do for next time to prevent these blighters?

Cheers,

Phill

[Mitsy]

I could be wrong but sounds like root fly 

[Cheshire Phill]

Could be, definitely could be...have carrots nearby but with no probs so far...

White, almost maggot like grubs, inside the parsnip roots, sl dark head, about 0.5 - 0.75 inches long...

Anyone else had this problem, and offer ideas?

Don't nthink theres any treatment anyway...boo hoo!!!

Phill

[Yorkie]

Here's the RHS link for root fly:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profiles0500/carrot.asp

Am a little surprised at the size you say your grubs are, perhaps it is something else?

A quick search of the RHS wider site revealed this thread, which contains some more info about swift moth and some piccie links, I think.  Must say I've never heard of it before.

http://mygarden.rhs.org.uk/forums/p/10739/10739.aspx

[Salmo]

Swift moths lavae are caterpillars and have legs. It is more likely to be carrot fly lavae which are maggots.

When you say they have a dark head is this just a dark colouration to the maggot or is there a definate head?

Type carrot root fly lavae into google images. Also swift moth caterpillar.

[Cheshire Phill]

Agree, agree!!
Looked at lots of images, the larvae are right down the cores of the roots and have devastated the root itself, causing the plants to collapse.

May be carrot fly - I didn't cover parsnips. However, I have lots of carrots nearby as well, some covered, some not, and these all seem fine, have pulled a few, no problems.
Also, other plot holders nearby have unprotected snips, and no-one else any probs.

Will try to find one or two of the the larvae and ID, they are actually pretty small, I'd say less than 1cm long, and pretty thin, haven't looked close enough for legs, head etc., but will do!!

Ta!

Phill