Kitchen Garden Forum

Two weeks ago a neighbouring farmer was praising my leeks, how things can change in a fortnight. Now the whole lot, hundreds of plants, have been attacked by the Leek Moth, I have now learned that his leeks grown nearby have also succumbed to this pest.

I'm always one for not putting all my eggs in one basket and should have spread them over different bits of ground and wonder has anyone else felt the devastation of the Leek Moth?

Barney

Hello Barney
Leek moth can be a real pest. The RHS site is good for information on this one but I've also come across this site, although Canadian, it has some excellent photos of the problem and good ideas on its control.

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cro ... 08-009.htm

If its any consolation to you the damage is mostly to the leaves and the lower parts are still usable in most cases.
Leek moth can carry over from one season to the next so its a good idea to make sure that the ground is clear of leeks and their debris during the winter in order to break the life cycle. Although leeks are an excellent winter crop its worth sacrificing late leeks to do this.
This year I covered my leeks with fine mesh butterfly netting simply because it was long enough in the row to throw over the leeks as well. Amazingly my plants have not suffered this year. I've seen environmesh recommended but perhaps butterfly netting is good enough.

Hope this helps

John

We have big problems with leek moth too, and are really fed up with it. Its a crop that we both really like and until now has been so easy to grow. Does it attack chives too? I've recently divided and moved the chives (several different types) and some of them look a bit leek moth-ish. The garlic chives seem ok though.

John wrote:If its any consolation to you the damage is mostly to the leaves and the lower parts are still usable in most cases.

Hi Barney, my small row of leeks was looking fine in the summer, but is now getting pretty ragged too.

I had problems with leek moth last year and also on this crop earlier this year. I think John's comment may be correct: I cut the most damaged leaves off last year's leeks and new ones grew, ending up with "normal looking" plants.

Earlier this summer, I found & removed a few grubs on the leeks with holey leaves. These plants then recovered too. Obviously netting is the answer but I just didn't have enough this year.

Thanks to everyone for the useful information.

I have pulled some leeks and cut the eaten parts off and had hoped to post some pictures but am having trouble uploading them.

Barney

I've managed it, more by luck than judgement




Barney

Following the attack of Leak Moth I suffered last September, they all seem fine now and I have been lifting good quality leeks today. Although I had pulled up the badly affected and chopped the leaves of the less affected plants, many I left untouched so I think the frosts and very cold weather helped kill of the varmits since they all appear ok now.

Barney

I have also been pulling leeks which have recovered from damage, and also assumed the cold weather had killed the moths. However as I lifted the plants some moths flew away. I guess they have been overwintering in the foliage.