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Maggots That Can Damage Vegetable Crops
Michelle Casella, Agricultural Agent & Dr. Gerald Ghidiu, Specialist in Vegetable Entomology

SEEDCORN MAGGOTS are one of the first maggot flies to emerge in spring and readily attack beans, beets, corn, crucifers, such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, turnip and radish, cucurbits, potatoes, onion, spinach, and pepper. Flies can become abundant in Southern New Jersey during late April and early May when the adults are laying their eggs.

ONION MAGGOTS emerge slightly later than seedcorn maggots, usually around late April and early May. First generation onion maggot generally peaks around the first week of May, the second generation peaks around the first week of July, and the third generation around mid-to late August.

CABBAGE MAGGOT flies attack primarily plants in the cruciferous family, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustards, radish, and turnips. Like other maggot attacks, plant damage appears as wilting or drooping of the leaves, and under severe attack, the whole plant wilts, resulting in delayed maturity or stunting. Damage is usually evident when drought or water stress occurs.

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