Nematodes against
BIOLOGICAL MARCH FLY CONTROL
March flies, scientifically known as Bibionidae, belong to a family of dipterans and are mainly observed in spring and autumn. These insects, which are distributed worldwide, play an important role in the ecosystem, as their larvae decompose organic material and thus contribute to soil improvement. Although they often occur in large swarms, they do not pose a serious threat to most crops. Occasionally, however, they can cause damage in fields or gardens, especially to young plants, by occurring en masse.
LIFE CYCLE OF MARCH FLIES
The life cycle of march flies comprises several developmental stages, which differ greatly in both their appearance and their function. Depending on the species and climatic conditions, they can produce one or more generations per year. Hair flies prefer moist and humus-rich soils, where they find ideal conditions for the development of their larvae. The adult mosquitoes frequently appear in spring and autumn, often in large swarms.
| 1. Egg | The females lay their eggs in moist soil, often near decaying organic material. One female can lay several hundred eggs. The eggs are small, round and whitish in colour and develop within a few days. |
| 2. Larvae | The larvae hatch after 4-10 days and feed on organic material in the soil. They play an important role in the ecosystem as they contribute to the decomposition of plant residues. The larvae go through several stages |
| 3. Puppae | After around two to three weeks, the fully-grown larvae burrow into the soil and pupate. The pupae are an inconspicuous brown colour and remain in the soil for around 10-14 days until the adult hair gnats hatch. |
| 4. Adult | The adult hair midges, often black in colour with a finely hairy body, occur in swarms. They only live for a few days and are mainly dedicated to reproduction. While they hardly cause any damage themselves, their mass appearances can be a nuisance, especially in agricultural and urban areas. |
March flie larvae in the soil
DAMAGE CAUSED BY MARCH FLIES
The march flies (Bibionidae) are mainly active in spring and autumn and can occasionally cause damage to agricultural and horticultural crops. Although the larvae live mainly on organic material in the soil and thus contribute to soil fertility, they can attack roots and young plants if they occur en masse.
The main damage is caused by the larvae feeding on fine roots or seedlings, especially in moist and humus-rich soils. Young plants whose root system is not yet sufficiently developed are particularly at risk. In case of severe infestation, the plants may show growth disorders or die completely. This is critical in the germination and growth phase, as the plants are particularly sensitive during this time.
As a rule, however, the damage remains localised and only in exceptional cases do the march flie larvae pose a serious threat to agricultural crops. Nevertheless, preventive measures such as tillage or the promotion of balanced soil life should be considered in the event of repeated occurrences.
in case of mass occurrence, the larvae can cause damage to the roots
CONTROL MARCH FLIES WITH NEMATODES
Nematodes of the species Steinernema feltiae can be used effectively against the larvae of hair flies (Bibionidae), especially in the larval phase when they actively decompose organic material in the soil and occasionally cause damage to roots. Products such as nemaplus®, which contain Sf nematodes, offer an environmentally friendly and biological solution to control the larvae of hair flies.
Application and effect
nemaplus® can be applied in spring and autumn when the hair fly larvae are active in the soil. Field trials have shown that the control effect can be over 70 % if applied in good time. The nematodes penetrate the larvae and kill them within a few days.
Dosage and application
Dosage: 1 million nematodes per litre of spray mixture or 250,000 nematodes per m².
Application: The nematodes are supplied in a natural carrier material and mixed with water. Approximately 500-800 litres of spray liquid are required per hectare.
Conditions: Nematodes should be applied when soil conditions are moist or in the evening, as they are sensitive to drying out and UV radiation. The application should be carried out at soil temperatures between 12-25 °C. Repeat treatment after 10-14 days to maximise control success.
Notes on application
The nematodes are compatible with many other biological and chemical plant protection products, an overview of their compatibility can be found here.
Nematodes of the species Steinernema carpocapsae