Allium Leaf Miner - Ask Extension
Hi there,
We had some issues with allium leaf miner last spring and unfortunately lost all our onions. I attached a photo here, taken last spring/s...
Knowledgebase
Allium Leaf Miner #778088
Asked November 19, 2021, 8:32 AM EST
Hi there,
We had some issues with allium leaf miner last spring and unfortunately lost all our onions. I attached a photo here, taken last spring/summer.
We built a new raised bed, with new soil, and planted garlic this fall. We immediately covered the bed with insect netting in the hope we can avoid any damage from the adult fly laying eggs there.
At what point can I remove the netting? I read on your website that it should be put back up in February until about May but unsure when the fall emergence period ends.
Thank you,
Danielle
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Given that you used new soil in the bed and covered it right away we think you should do well.
If your cover admits good light and moisture you don't need to remove it.
It seems you've seen it, but here is our page on this pest if needed:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/allium-leafminer
Christine
Thank you, Christine. I’m concerned my hoops may not hold up in snow, so would sometime in December be outside of the emergence period for the adults?
Thanks again,
Danielle
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 19, 2021, at 10:36 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Allium Leafminer insects spend the winter as pupae, so right now they are hibernating in this life stage and will not be active and flying until about March. (The fall flight period was in the September-October timeframe.) Therefore, you can remove the cover now (you don't have to wait until December) and won't need to replace it until February.
Miri
