The late planting season delayed the movement of the sugarbeet root maggot fly. NDSU Extension Entomologist Mark Boetel says while the maggot is a little behind, the small sugarbeet plants are a bigger concern. “The tiny plants are really vulnerable. It’s not a very nice, friendly storm rolling in. Growers will need to be aggressive, but also careful in their control efforts.” The loss of chlorpyriphos from the tool box is another concern. “There are pyrethroid insecticides that can be applied. They tend to not have as long of a residual,” explains Boetel. “Repeated applications are more likely this year. With cooler temperatures, we are expecting peaks may be more broad than they would be in an average year. An application between two and four days ahead of peak fly and another one a few days after peak fly is recommended.” Hear the interview. Photo credit: Mark Boetel, NDSU