Sugarbeet growers in the Red River Valley are being advised that peak sugarbeet root maggot fly activity is close. NDSU Extension Entomologist Mark Boetel expects peak fly activity to begin in the southern part of the area around June 9 and then, move north. “Near Ada, Minnesota, it may be around June 13, give or take about three days. Between Grand Forks to Cavalier, North Dakota it may be around June 15 to 16, give or take a few days.” The later planted sugarbeets are at the most risk. “Between Hillsboro to Grand Forks, there were late planted fields. Those fields should be watched for root maggot fly. They need to be protected if there’s no at-plant insecticide protection. They’ll be very vulnerable to attacks.”
