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Cabbage
Maggot (Delia radicum) - Life Cycle |
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Adults:
Cabbage maggot flies resemble houseflies but are only about half as
long, 1/4 inch (6 mm). They are dark gray with black stripes along
the body. Adults emerge between late March and early May. There are
3-4 generations per year. |
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Eggs:
The cabbage maggot fly deposits its eggs on or in the soil at the
base of the plants. The eggs are white and elongated. Eggs hatch into
maggot larvae in 3 to 7 days. |
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Larvae:
The legless maggots are tapered and white in color, and are usually
less than 1/3 inch (6 mm) in length. The head is the pointed end and
at the rear or blunt end they have 12 short, pointed fleshy processes
arranged in a circle around two button-like spiracles. Newly hatched
larvae feed and burrow into the roots. The crucifer-damaging life
stage, maggots feed for about 3 to 5 weeks before pupating in the
root tunnel or in the soil. |
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Pupae:
The pupa is brown in color, egg shaped and 1/4 inch (6 mm) long. Pupae
remain in the soil for 2 or 3 weeks before adult emergence. |
Damage inflicted by cabbage
maggot on cabbage and crucifers
©All material is protected
by Section 107 of the 1976 copyright law.
Copyright is held by Cornell University.
Maintained by Jason D. Plate. Last updated Mar. 8th, 2007.
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