Pest identification
What's eating my parsnip 'javelin'?
Carrot fly (Psila rosae)
Signs: Bronze, rusty tunnelling through root flesh; plants wilt in dry spells; roots rot in storage
Control: 60 cm upright mesh barrier around the bed; sow after late May; never leave thinnings on the soil surface as the smell attracts females
Celery leaf miner
Signs: Pale blotchy leaf mines reduce photosynthesis and weaken developing roots
Control: Cover with insect-proof mesh; remove affected leaves; good sanitation at season's end
Slugs and snails
Signs: Surface feeding on crowns and roots; wounds invite canker fungi
Control: Iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at dusk; minimise overhead irrigation
Keep parsnip 'javelin' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Parsnip 'Javelin' pests — FAQ
What is eating my parsnip 'javelin'?
Parsnip 'Javelin' suffers the same main threats as all parsnips: carrot fly tunnels ruin roots, celery leaf miner weakens foliage, and slugs create entry points for canker. Rabbits graze seedlings in exposed plots. Fine mesh barriers and delayed sowing are the primary line of defence.
How do I get rid of carrot fly (psila rosae) on parsnip 'javelin'?
Bronze, rusty tunnelling through root flesh; plants wilt in dry spells; roots rot in storage 60 cm upright mesh barrier around the bed; sow after late May; never leave thinnings on the soil surface as the smell attracts females
How do I get rid of celery leaf miner on parsnip 'javelin'?
Pale blotchy leaf mines reduce photosynthesis and weaken developing roots Cover with insect-proof mesh; remove affected leaves; good sanitation at season's end
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on parsnip 'javelin'?
Surface feeding on crowns and roots; wounds invite canker fungi Iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at dusk; minimise overhead irrigation