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The adult cricket, known as *Bradtsua idiruogaga* Yang et Zhang, is also commonly referred to as the yellow-footed mosquito. This small black insect measures about a quarter of the size of the typical mosquitoes we encounter daily. Its peak activity occurs between 9 AM and 11 AM, making it a significant pest in leek cultivation. The species is found across various regions in China, including the northeast, north, northwest, and areas south of the Yangtze River such as Sichuan and Zhejiang. It primarily targets leeks, onions, and garlic, all members of the lily family.
The eggs of this pest are laid in tiny soil cracks, gaps between plants, and within leaf sheaths—areas that are hard to detect with the naked eye. These egg masses are only 0.38 mm long and oval in shape. The larvae cluster around the bulbs of leek plants, causing damage to the stems, leaves, and bulbs, leading to yellowing and rotting. Despite being just a few millimeters in size, these pests have strong feeding abilities, and severe infestations can result in densely packed root systems that require immediate control.
In terms of injury characteristics, adults lay eggs beneath the soil clods around alfalfa fields. After hatching, the larvae gather in the bulbs and tender stems of leeks, causing brown spots and rot on the leaves. In extreme cases, the entire plant may be affected. The adult is about 2.5 mm long, dark brown in color, with a small head and a protruding thorax that covers the head. The larvae are yellow-white, slender, and full, measuring 7 mm in length, with a black head and pointed tips. The pupae start off yellowish-white, turn yellow-brown, and eventually become gray-black before emerging as adults.
This pest has four generations per year, with activity peaking in early May, mid-June, early August, and late September. During winter, from late July to early August, the larvae emerge. They colonize the underground rhizomes of leeks, and both adults and larvae are highly mobile, often hiding in soil gaps around the plants. Mature larvae or pupae overwinter in the soil up to 3–4 cm deep. Adults avoid light and dry conditions, showing a strong attraction to the scent of onion and garlic. Eggs are laid in the soil around leeks, and larvae feed on the underground leaf sheaths, tender stems, and buds, often biting through the stems and breaking into the bulbs.
Soil moisture plays a key role in their occurrence, with clay soils experiencing fewer infestations compared to sandy soils. Control methods include covering the leek field with plastic film after harvest to trap adults, using new soil for seedlings, and avoiding bulb transfer during transplanting. A new technique involves sand coverage instead of traditional soil covering to prevent egg-laying and improve conditions for pupae development.
Chemical control involves watering with specific insecticides like phoxim, Loessben, and matrine, applied monthly. For adults, trichlorfon powder or pyrethroid-based sprays are used during peak emergence hours (9 AM to 11 AM). Physical control methods, such as sugar-vinegar traps with lights, are also effective, especially in two phases: May to June and September. These traps help reduce adult populations by attracting them with sweet and sour liquids and artificial lighting.
To ensure sustainable and safe leek production, agricultural and ecological practices such as proper planting density, mulching, and composting are recommended. These methods not only reduce chemical dependency but also enhance crop quality and yield. By combining these strategies, farmers can effectively manage this pest while minimizing environmental impact and improving economic returns.