[GPI]

Raspberry beetle (fruit pest) - Byturus tomentosus
by GPI

Plants affected
Most cane fruit including raspberries, tayberry, blackberries and loganberries.

Season(s) present.
Early to late summer

Raspberry beetle, photo / picture / image.

Appearance of damage.
The end of the berry closest to the stalk will be grey or brown instead of its usual white, and it will appear dry and smaller than normal.
Inside the berry you may find a 1/4 inch (8mm) long grub or maggot feeding.
Initially the flower buds blossoms of the cane fruits may show black scars on its tissue at the base.

Cause
The adult Raspberry beetle causes the damage to the flower buds ans lays its eggs from May onwards.
Far worse though are the young larvae which emerge from the eggs who feed at the end of the fruit, then later enter the fruit to feed inside.
In late summer, the larvae to to the soil where they overwinter as pupae.

Trouble?
Yes, Raspberry beetle is the most serious pest of cane fruit, making you paranoid about eating any of the fruits, once you find or bite into your first grub.

Organic or cultural control.
Hoe the soil around the plants in late Spring and early Summer to bring the buried pupae to the surface. birds will then pick them off for you before they become adults.
Spray or dust raspberries with Derris the first pink fruits are seen, and again two weeks later.
For blackberries treat when the first flowers open.
For all other cane fruits treat with derris at 80% petal fall.


Other Control.
None

Nature notes.
If spraying, do so at dusk to avoid damage to pollinating insects.
Please note that Irishgardeners.com does not advocate the removal of insect life, instead, this forum encourages wildlife preservation. However, there are occasions where a wildlifebecomes a problem within the garden for certain people. Be aware that wildlife is a link in the chain of life, benefiting something or someone down the chain. Please at least think about this before you remove wildlife from your site.

Any queries or comments on Raspberry beetle (fruit pest) - Byturus tomentosus, please post below.

Associated content...
Back to Pests of the Garden in Ireland - Prevention and Control.

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©Entomart.ins
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