Pest identification
What's eating my mangel-wurzel?
Beet leaf miner (Pegomya hyoscyami)
Signs: Blistered white mines on leaves; heavy infestations stunt the developing root
Control: Remove affected leaves; use insect mesh for small plots; at field scale, monitor and apply approved insecticides at threshold
Black bean aphid (Aphis fabae)
Signs: Dense colonies on young shoots and leaf undersides; reduced photosynthesis and root bulking
Control: Encourage natural enemies; soap spray for small plots; at field scale, apply when colonies exceed threshold
Wireworm (Agriotes spp.)
Signs: Narrow bore holes through roots; entry wounds allow rot to enter
Control: Avoid planting after old grassland; rotate with non-host crops; use trap crops (mustard) to reduce wireworm populations
Slugs and snails
Signs: Seedlings destroyed at emergence; root shoulders scarred
Control: Iron phosphate pellets; pre-sow soil cultivation to expose slugs to predators; reduce surface organic debris
Keep mangel-wurzel pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Mangel-wurzel pests — FAQ
What is eating my mangel-wurzel?
Mangel-wurzel (fodder beet) is a large-rooted beet grown mainly as livestock feed. Its pests mirror those of garden beet: beet leaf miner damages foliage, black bean aphids colonise shoots, and slugs attack young plants and exposed root shoulders. At field scale, wireworm and beet cyst nematode can also be significant economic problems.
How do I get rid of beet leaf miner (pegomya hyoscyami) on mangel-wurzel?
Blistered white mines on leaves; heavy infestations stunt the developing root Remove affected leaves; use insect mesh for small plots; at field scale, monitor and apply approved insecticides at threshold
How do I get rid of black bean aphid (aphis fabae) on mangel-wurzel?
Dense colonies on young shoots and leaf undersides; reduced photosynthesis and root bulking Encourage natural enemies; soap spray for small plots; at field scale, apply when colonies exceed threshold
How do I get rid of wireworm (agriotes spp.) on mangel-wurzel?
Narrow bore holes through roots; entry wounds allow rot to enter Avoid planting after old grassland; rotate with non-host crops; use trap crops (mustard) to reduce wireworm populations
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on mangel-wurzel?
Seedlings destroyed at emergence; root shoulders scarred Iron phosphate pellets; pre-sow soil cultivation to expose slugs to predators; reduce surface organic debris