What's eating my autumn king carrot?

Autumn King is a large-rooted, late-maturing variety grown well into autumn — extending its exposure to a second generation of carrot fly and to slugs as autumn rains arrive. Carrot fly larvae are the chief threat. Aphids and cutworms are secondary concerns. Mesh protection from sowing to late harvest is non-negotiable.

Two generations per season (late spring and late summer/autumn) — Autumn King's long season catches both; larvae produce extensive tunnelling in the large roots. Maintain fine-mesh (1.3 mm) cover throughout the entire season; lift roots before first hard frost to avoid over-wintering generation; rotate carrots to a new bed each year.

Colonies on foliage; virus transmission (carrot motley dwarf) slows root swelling in the critical autumn bulking phase. Mesh cover prevents colonisation; spray with insecticidal soap if covers are removed; avoid stressed, under-watered plants which attract aphids.

Increased risk in wet autumn soil; chew foliage and can bore into partially exposed shoulder of large roots. Apply ferric phosphate pellets in early autumn; use slug nematodes while soil temperature is above 5 °C; harvest before conditions become very wet.

Larvae cut stems at ground level; large roots may also be gnawed at the shoulder. Hoe soil regularly; apply Steinernema nematodes to moist soil before peak flight of parent moth (July–August).