Organic Centre Wales Technical Note 6: Biology and management of leatherjackets

Kurzfassung

Leatherjackets are the larvae of crane flies (Tipula spp.) which are better known as daddy longlegs. The largest populations are found in grassland and populations in infested fields can reach 0.6 million leatherjackets/ha. The threshold population for field crops is 0.25 million/ha. Crops of brassicas, courgettes and roots following grass may suffer most damage. Damage is usually seen in spring with young plants and seedlings the worst affected. This technical note discusses natural enemies of leatherjackets, nature of damage, life history and control measures, and a list of sources of further information.