Newbie question .. Maggots?

[Cr071]

Hi all, sorry if this is in the wrong place, just joined and trying to work it all out but ... It's our first year starting out on an allotment, we have onions and shallots growing which I planted in October, when weeding the beds I came across 2 small white maggots - could these be onion fly larvae? If so is there anything I should or can do to prevent more?

Also should I consider covering the beds over winter or leave out to the elements?

Thank you ... (Sorry for the very basic questions!!)


Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

[Kleftiwallah]

Keep the basic questions coming! We will have to see the maggot in question for an educated reply. You could Gurgle "White Maggot in the ground" or something like that, that may solve your problem.

Cheers, Tony.

[Cr071]

Thanks I did have a look but it's difficult to tell really! No photos of the offender I'm afraid!



Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

[Aberdeenplotter]

The place your most likely to find a maggot of the onion fly is inside the bulb of the onion. I haven't been bothered with them for many years(I plant french marigolds as a companion plant and the pungent smell seems to keep them away) but from memory, they are more a dirty white than a bright white and there is likely to be more than a couple.

No need to apologise for basic questions. We all have to start somewhere

[Cr071]

Thank you - will take the marigold tip!
What about covering them overwinter? Is it necessary?


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[Aberdeenplotter]

I don't and we get it as cold as it gets

[bearded bloke]

Did the maggot have "legs" or did it have a very small black dot at one end ?
Are there any brown chrysalis type grubs about 5mm long in evidence,in the soil or on the plants ?

[Veggielot]

If you have only a couple of maggots hopefully not to much to worry about. If you find more try and get a picture and someone might be able to identify them.

You can cover unused beds over winter or you can plant green manure. I use a mixture of cardboard and green manure.

[plotman]

Hi all, sorry if this is in the wrong place, just joined and trying to work it all out but ... It's our first year starting out on an allotment, we have onions and shallots growing which I planted in October, when weeding the beds I came across 2 small white maggots - could these be onion fly larvae? If so is there anything I should or can do to prevent more?

Also should I consider covering the beds over winter or leave out to the elements?

Thank you ... (Sorry for the very basic questions!!)


Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

Welcome to the site and dont worry. Theres nothing basic about identifying the many bugs we have to contend with. And honestly impossible to identify without a pic.
Were all gardeners here and hopefully all happy to pass on our combined knowledge even if at times it may be rather conflicting lol. But thats human nature

[Cr071]

Thanks for your replies.. No legs and it was pretty small and chunky so I couldn't see much to it really, will keep my eye out and post a pic if I find anymore!




Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[Martin H]

Were they curled into a "c" shape? If so it would be these dudes:

[Cr071]

Yes they did look like that! Thanks will have to have a read up about them! Good detective skills from my minimal description


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum