All entries for Thursday 16 May 2013

Cow parsley, cabbage root fly and carrot fly

Writing about web page http://data.kew.org/wild/phenology/

It has long been known that first generation cabbage root fly (and also carrot fly) lay their eggs at the time that cow parsley (it has several other common names) (Anthriscus sylvestris) is in flower. Whilst this is certainly true, it is difficult to get a very precise fix on the start of egg-laying by either pest from the cow parsley. Is it when the first flowers appear or when most of the umbel is flowering……..?

This year, with its cold spring, demonstrates clearly that the insects and the cow parsley do respond to spring temperatures in a similar way – since in the West Midlands, all three species are very ‘late’. The cow parsley is only just beginning to flower (see below).

Interestingly, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew have some web pages devoted to phenology – which is the study of the timing of plant and animal behaviour in relation to changes in climate. One of the species they consider is cow parsley.

Rosemary Collier : 16 May 2013 18:42 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem