Ep. 228 : Walnut Husk Maggot Fly
Every big mast year for Black Walnuts (Juglans nigra) I like to harvest a ton of them and then process them for both the husks and the nutmeat inside. While the nutmeats are very troublesome to access it is getting easier as I learn which tools are better than others, and the food value is totally worth it. As for the husks, it’s pretty easy to rip or cut them off of the nut. This year, as in previous years as well, there has been a small ethical dilemma which has come up when using the husks for dye. Nestled in the husks are small larvae of what I believe to be the Walnut Husk Maggot Fly (Rhagoletis suavis) which is a fruit fly I don’t know much about. But because I love Walnuts, I figured I should learn.
And that’s what this week’s show is all about. A fruit fly who loves Walnuts… Can’t live without ‘em. Sometimes I feel that way, too.
Rhagoletis suavis wing pattern. Modified from Utah State University page on Walnut Husk Fly.