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Leatherjackets
Tipula sp.
General Description
Leatherjackets are a common pest in grassland. The name leatherjacket is given to the grubs which cause the damage, but the adults are known as crane flies or daddy-long-legs.
Leatherjacket grubs live just below soil level and eat the roots of grasses and other plants.
The average leatherjacket density of 2.5 million grubs per hectare is equivalent to 250 grubs per metre square.
Mild wet weather over the autumn enhances the survival of grubs when they first emerge from eggs laid in the soil in late summer.
Crops of wheat sown after grass can be affected by leatherjackets. Spring barley can also be affected when sown in field with high populations.
Biology
Advice
Diary
February
Pest risk in early sown spring barley
The temptation to get your spring barley in early should be tempered by the threat from pests. The cool soil conditions will slow down emergence and give more time for pests to kill off emerging plants. More...