Frit flies

The frit fly is a sporadic pest of golf courses, mainly on greens, collars and approaches. Hatching larvae move to the base of the plant between the sheath and stem and therefore kill the growing point. Isolated leaves appear yellow and chlorotic. Surrounding shoots and leaves may still appear green and healthy. White maggots may be found at the base of turf plants. The adults are small shiny black flies about 1/8 inch long with yellow markings on the legs.

IPM1020, new June 2003