Sugarbeet root maggot populations continue to increase across the Red River Valley, according to NDSU Extension Entomologist Mark Boetel. “We had a lot of hot weather in late May and leading into early June, which resulted in some very intense hot spots.” Boetel says adult flies have largely disappeared, but damaging larvae are now feeding on roots. Fields with little or no insecticide protection are expected to show wilting and stand loss.
