Effective control of onion fly with beneficial nematodes

Onion fly (Delia antiqua) is a significant and widespread pest that can affect allium plants. For onion growers, onion fly infestations can be a major concern, as it can cause stunted growth and severe yield reductions. Therefore, it’s recommended to monitor your crop closely, so you can control this pest on time.

Detecting onion fly infestations can be challenging, particularly in the early stages when signs may not always be clearly visible. However, there are a few symptoms to watch out for. The wilting or yellowing of onion leaves is one of the most obvious signs of onion fly damage. Small tunnels made by the larvae as they feed can also be seen in the bulbs. The bulbs may occasionally soften or decay, which may be a sign of a serious infestation. Moreover, the damage caused by onion fly can make the plant more vulnerable to other diseases and pests.

As traditional methods become more limited and existing products lose effectiveness, growers face increasing challenges in controlling onion fly. Beneficial nematodes offer a promising alternative. Success of onion fly control starts with the right approach. Growers must carefully monitor the development of the onion fly. This way the grower knows when the first flight of the onion fly is coming. After that apply our beneficial nematodes twice, with an interval of eight to ten days. Then most onion fly larvae will die, and the pest pressure will remain low. Finally, the correct application of the nematodes is important. The soil must be damp, bright sun must be avoided, as well as a lot of wind otherwise the product dries up too quickly. So, spraying late in the afternoon will have the most effect. And yes, you can even spray during a rain shower. Then the nematodes are washed immediately into the soil.

Additionally to its effectiveness, beneficial nematodes leave no residue, are resistant proof and are easy an safe to use. Beneficial nematodes are compatible with a lot of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and even nematicides, meaning they don't lose their efficacy, when used complementary to most chemical solutions. To be sure if the product you intend to use is not harmful to our nematode products, please check the side effect database. You only have to fill in the name of the nematode species, and the database immediately shows which crop protection products are harmful to that particular nematode.

Beneficial nematodes are not only controlling onion fly, but are also a great solution to control wireworms in potatoes, bean seed fly in beans and onions, caterpillars in lettuce and thrips in onion and leek.