Insecticidal control of cabbage root fly (Erioischia brassicae (Bouché)) in the axillary buds of Brussels sprouts

Abstract

SUMMARYThe occurrence of dipterous larvae in the axillary buds (buttons) of Brussels sprouts was investigated at Wellesbourne in 1963–66. The most severe infestations occurred on early crops harvested in August, in which up to 10% of the buttons were damaged by cabbage root fly larvae. Most of the damaged buttons were on the lower part of the stem and were present on only a small proportion of the plants. Laboratory and field tests of insecticides showed that trichlorphon gave up to 88 % control. The principles involved in an insecticidal control method are discussed.