SUGAR BEET crops not normally at risk from leatherjackets are being attacked, prompting fears from experts that a new species may be responsible.

“Affected crops have mostly followed cereals, with no problems with grassweed control in stubbles,” said Broom’s Barn expert, Alan Dewar.

Adult crane flies normally lay eggs in grassland, or where grassweed control is poor, he explained.

“So it could be we have a new species, which lays eggs in response to something else. It is something we need to get a handle on.”

Leatherjackets collected from affected fields are being bred on to be identified once they reach adulthood, he said.

Damage to around a dozen crops in East Anglia, Hertfordshire and the West Midlands has been reported to Broom’s Barn. In some cases re-drilling was required.

“Crops were particularly vulnerable last week in the cold spell, when they were stuck at a small stage. A bit more growth will allow them to withstand some grazing.”

If plants are still being lost growers should consider treating with chlorpyrifos, he said.

Spring and late-winter sown cereal growers in Scotland are also being warned to check for leatherjackets following detection of exceptionally high levels, the Scottish Agricultural College reported.

Almost 60% of fields surveyed by the SAC were infested with over 60 leatherjackets/m² and nearly half (45%) contained more than 100/m².

Where numbers exceed 50 leatherjackets/m², growers should treat cereal crops with chlorpyrifos, David Roberts from Dow AgroSciences advised.