Why does your Brassica rapa Natsu Komachi have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
Pet FriendlyThe larvae of fungus gnats live in the organic matter of moist soil and feed on fine root hairs of Brassica species, which can weaken the plant. The tiny black flies seen hovering near the base of your Natsu Komachi are likely adults looking for moisture to lay eggs.
While usually attracted to decaying fruit, these flies are drawn to the high moisture levels and fermenting organic matter in vegetable beds. They do not directly damage the turnip leaves but indicate an environment that is overly damp.
While the symptom describes 'flies,' certain small flies are attracted to the chemical signals of damaged Brassica leaves. If you see winding white trails on the turnip leaves, the flies may be depositing larvae that tunnel through the leaf tissue.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues: