FRIT FLY

What Are They?

Frit flies are usually white, yellow and black and are often found in grassy areas. This pest is mainly a problem of new turf, with the larvae (maggots) destroying the central stems of ryegrass, fescues and bents.

Have I Got Them?

The adult frit fly is noticeable because it is attracted to white objects, such as a golf ball, and sighting a number of these flies could indicate larvae in the turfgrass.

Larvae infest grass stems, dig a tunnel and stay throughout winter. When spring arrives they continue their tunnelling, damaging the plant as they go.

The first sign of infestation is the yellowing of one, or several, of the central stems from a plant's crown.

Sometimes the larvae can build up numbers to the point that significant areas of turfgrass turn yellow.

How Do I Try To Control Them?

The most effective way to control frit fly is to spray the turf with a proprietary product with the active ingredient chlorpyrifos.

Application should be made at emergence, when damage is anticipated (i.e. a large number of frit fly sightings) or at first signs of attack.

Always ensure a suitable nozzle is fitted to the sprayer, a fine nozzle that is used when applying weedkiller will not achieve the drenching required.

How Do I Prevent Re-Occurrence?

Whilst flit fly prevention is out of our control, spotting them early could help with removing the harmful larvae. Because frit flies are attracted to white objects, try laying a piece of paper on the turfgrass surface. Any attracted could indicate the potential for future larvae infestations and thus appropriate measures may be taken.