Each year the Royal Horticultural Society compiles its list of Top Ten Garden Pests for the Year, and a new bugaloo has appeared above the parapet.
It’s a pest that bores into the stems of leeks, onions and garlic leaving plants open to infections makes its first appearance on the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual list for 2014.
Allium leaf miner, which was first detected in Britain in 2002, is placed seventh on the list of the most frustrating pests.
The small white headless maggots of allium leaf mining flies bore into the foliage and stems of their host plants rendering them inedible
When fully fed the maggots turn into brown pupae which can often be found in the stem.
First found in the West Midlands more than a decade ago, the flies are becoming established in new areas throughout Britain and are a serious threat to plants in the onion family (Alliaceae) such as leeks, onion, chives, shallot and garlic.
They say that this pest is likely to continue to spread to new areas over the coming years, and so may remain a top pest. Gardeners can protect plants from allium leaf miner by growing crops under horticultural fleece.
If you’re a fan of alliums, the ornamental onion – keep a look out for any signs on these too..
So, now you’re wondering what’s at numero uno garden pest of the year position, it’s our old favourites the slug and snail. The experts at RHS HQ are wondering whether the rise in plant pests is down to an increase in folk growing their own produce and therefore noticing and reporting problems more, or something else.
At any rate, they (at the RHS) say they will continue to monitor the spread of pests – so that’s OK.
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