Good management, thorough crop rotation and the high emphasis on certified seed use has kept Ontario free of Blackleg. Proper rotation is key to managing this risk. The more thorough you rotate your crops, the less risk flea beetle and other insect pest represent to your crop. See the Root maggot story below. Root maggots - a new pest to scout, another reason to rotate properly Root maggots are tiny flies that over winter in the soil as pupae.
Eggs are small and ovular in shape and white in color.
Small white maggots hatch from the eggs 3-5 days later. The maggots tunnel into canola roots, causing serious damage as they feed. Infested plants are highly stressed and prone to secondary disease infections. Varying degrees of yield loss are the end result. Root maggot flies have been observed in many canola fields in Ontario, however there are means to manage the risk of infestation.