What's eating my cosmic purple carrot?

Cosmic Purple carrot, a USDA-developed heirloom with striking purple skin, is attacked by the same pests as any garden carrot: carrot rust fly (UK primary threat), aphids carrying motley dwarf virus, and wireworms that bore into the colorful root. Its anthocyanin-rich skin offers no pest resistance. Protect with fleece and crop rotation.

Rusty tunnels and rot in the purple roots; larvae destroy the taproot from early summer onward in UK and northern US gardens Enviromesh or insect-proof fleece from sowing to harvest; avoid thinning during peak fly flight (May, July, Sept in UK); sow after mid-May to miss spring peak

Yellowed, twisted foliage; carrot motley dwarf virus transmitted by winged aphids stunts plants and reduces root development Fleece barrier excludes flying aphids; remove and destroy virus-symptomatic plants; insecticidal soap on colonies

Click beetle larvae bore narrow tunnels into developing taproots; purple skin makes entry holes especially visible at harvest Rotate crops annually; trap with buried potato pieces checked weekly; avoid beds in recently turfed ground