Why does your Allium porrum Mako Bello F1 have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
The tiny black flies are likely fungus gnats, whose larvae live in the upper layers of moist soil and feed on organic matter or root fine hairs. In leek cultivation, high moisture levels required for Allium porrum can trigger outbreaks that damage young seedling roots.
While the flies themselves are seen above ground, they belong to families that lay eggs near the base of Allium crops. The larvae migrate into the fleshy white part of the leek, causing hollowed-out stems and rot.
While not a 'cause' of the flies themselves, overly saturated soil provides the ideal breeding ground for dipteran pests. This environment also predisposes Allium porrum to secondary fungal infections like Botrytis.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:
English
Italiano
