What's eating my 'french breakfast' radish?

French Breakfast Radish is a quick crop but still vulnerable to flea beetles, which shred young leaves with tiny holes and can kill seedlings before they establish. Cabbage root fly larvae burrow into roots, and slugs attack seedlings. Its fast maturity (under 30 days) helps it escape the worst of slug and aphid pressure.

Tiny round holes peppered across cotyledons and true leaves; severe infestations can strip seedlings entirely, especially in dry, warm weather. Sow under fine insect mesh and keep covered until harvest. Water during dry spells to reduce beetle activity. Companion-plant with taller crops to create shade and wind breaks.

White maggots tunnel into developing radish roots causing corky scars, rot, or total root loss; plants wilt despite adequate water. Use brassica collars at the base of each plant. Covering with mesh also prevents female flies from laying eggs near the stem.

Cotyledons and young leaves eaten overnight; emerging roots pitted on the surface in wet weather. Sow in well-drained, prepared beds. Use beer traps or scatter iron phosphate pellets around the plot. Hand-pick regularly after dark in spring and autumn.