onion maggot
insect
Also known as: Delia antiqua
Quick Summary
The onion maggot is the larval stage of the onion fly, a type of fly in the family Anthomyiidae. These flies resemble houseflies, but their larvae are significant agricultural pests.123
The onion maggot specifically injures onions by feeding on their underground bulbs and stems. The adult onion fly is a bristly gray insect, about 6 to 7 mm long, with large wings. This pest, originally from Europe, is now found in North America. Effective control often involves insecticide applications before planting to manage the population.32
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
