Worms on fruit leaves

aragwan · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 3

Hi,
I'm new to gardening and new to this site. I need advice. I've just noticed tiny worms (grey with white stripes!) eating all the leaves from my gooseberry and redberry shrubs. The fruit itself appears to be untouched. What to do??

Thanks everyone,
Adrienne

Belfast · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: Worms on fruit leaves

Salkeela · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:22 pm Post subject:

Yup! I have one denuded bush this year. Thankfully the other gooseberry bushes are not close and have been left untouched.

Mine you they did start to try to eat the redcurrant bush close by...... but thankfully only did minor damage.

Belfast · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:31 pm Post subject:

I have this problem every year. they come to 2 or 3 waves each year.

I hand pick them.

Picture of the eggs

michael brenock · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:48 pm Post subject:

shake the bush vigorously while you have a sheet of plastic or paper on the ground, draw out the plastic and leave nearby for the birds, you can alternatively use a strong spray of water and wash them off. If left unattended you may have a further attack in early Autumn and guaranteed to have them back next year. As they pupate and over winter in the ground under and near the bush a woven plastic mulch will reduce or eliminate the problem
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Sean Ph'lib · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:56 pm Post subject:

Shaking the bush, as Michael says, is the best way to deal with them. They were always a problem for me until I got my hens. Now the hens scrape under the bushes in the winter and the problem is solved - no more gooseberry sawfly!

Belfast · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject:

aragwan · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks so much for that excellent advice. I'm off out to the garden now to shake, spray and remove. A bit squeamish but it has to be done...

Thanks so much again,
Adrienne

Belfast · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject:

Found sawflies on the gooseberries Friday night and lots of them.
They are mostly very small so far.

aragwan · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 3

Hi,
I've spent the last couple of days getting rid of the dreaded sawfly. They were beginning to chew the leaves on a plum tree close to the gooseberry bush.
I tried spraying them with water but the pressure was too weak. I shook as many as I could from the leaves onto a plastic covering on the ground but there were still many clinging on and I eventually used a small tongs to remove them one by one. I think they're all gone now but I'll keep checking ust in case.

Good luck with yours in Belfast.