What's eating my carrot 'dragon'?

Carrot 'Dragon' — with its purple skin and orange core — is vulnerable to carrot root fly, aphids, and slugs. Carrot root fly is the defining pest: larvae tunnel through roots, destroying yield. Fine insect mesh (Enviromesh) from sowing to harvest is the most reliable protection available to home growers.

Rusty tunnels and galleries through the root; foliage yellows and wilts; roots rot in storage. Grow under fine insect-proof mesh from sowing. Avoid thinning at dusk (smell attracts flies). Resistant cultivars such as 'Flyaway' can be grown nearby as an indicator.

Yellowed, curled foliage; reduced vigor; aphids also vector carrot motley dwarf virus. Insect mesh excludes winged adults. Remove heavily infested leaves. Insecticidal soap spray for light infestations.

Surface scarring and shallow tunnels on young carrots; seedling loss at germination. Thin to correct spacing to improve airflow. Iron phosphate pellets around rows. Avoid excess watering.