Shore flies in propagation and bedding plants
Purdue names propagation areas and benches among the places to control algae, because that is where shore flies breed. The adults do not eat the plugs but can carry root-rot fungi to them. Clear the algae first; then the rove beetle, released onto the media and under the benches, hunts larvae that are not in standing water and breeds on site.
At a glance
- Damage
- Adults and larvae in algae on wet media and benches
- Type
- Root
- Settings
- Under glass
- Threshold
- No published threshold; act on algae and rising card counts
- Release
- Dalotia coriaria
- Rate
- 0.5–1 /sq ft onto benches and media (Buglogical)
How to confirm it
Look at the flies on a yellow sticky card with a hand lens: shore flies are stout and housefly-shaped, about 1/8 inch long, with very short antennae and five or more pale spots on each dark wing. Fungus gnats are delicate, with long antennae and clear wings.
Identification, lifecycle, degree days and every control option are on the full Shore flies profile. Not sure it is this pest? Answer four questions about the damage.
Work it out
How many do I need?
Carries Dalotia coriaria and bedding plants through so nothing is re-entered. Open the calculator →