Leslie Massey
Raspberry plants are susceptible to a variety of pests that can damage the leaves, leaving them looking ragged, with holes, or even skeletonized. Some of the most common pests that feed on raspberry leaves in Australia include Japanese beetles, raspberry fruit worms, the raspberry crown borer, spider mites, and raspberry sawflies. Birds can also be considered pests when they steal seeds and eat fruits, but they can also be beneficial by helping with pest control and eating insects that may harm raspberry plants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Pests | Raspberry Fruitworms, Japanese Beetles, Raspberry Crown Borer, Spider Mites, Raspberry Sawflies, Aphids, Caterpillars, Birds, Raccoons |
| Pest Damage | Holes in leaves, stunted growth, curled leaves, severe defoliation, missing leaf edges, leaves reduced to skeleton |
| Pest Control Methods | Traps, introducing predatory insects, insecticides, burning affected plants, bird netting, scare tape, fake owls, motion-activated sprinklers, companion planting, diatomaceous earth, garlic and chilli powder, mulching, hoeing |
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What You'll Learn
Raspberry sawflies
Raspberry sawfly larvae feed on the undersides of the leaves, chewing and causing scattered holes. The damage is often visible, with closely spaced groups of punctures and holes in the leaves being a telltale sign of their presence. In rare cases of heavy infection, only the larger veins of the leaves remain uneaten. The larvae feed for about 2 to 3 weeks, usually in May and June, and then drop to the ground to form cocoons. In spring, adult sawflies emerge from the cocoons and the cycle continues.
To control and manage raspberry sawflies, it is important to inspect caneberry leaves in early June, especially if there has been a history of infestation. If the larvae and their damage are unacceptable, several methods can be employed. One approach is to handpick and dispose of the larvae or to clip infested leaves from the plant and discard them in covered containers. Another method is to spray the undersides of the foliage with spinosad, a pesticide. However, it is important to note that spinosad is toxic to bees and certain beneficial predatory insects for several hours after application. Therefore, if the raspberries are flowering, it is recommended to apply the spray late in the day when honey bees are inactive.
In most cases, raspberry sawflies do not require extensive control measures. Light to moderate infestations typically result in minimal damage to the leaves, and fruit yield remains unaffected. However, it is important for growers to distinguish between raspberry sawfly larvae and more damaging moth larvae, as the chemicals used for control may differ.
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Japanese beetles
To control and get rid of Japanese beetles, several methods can be employed:
- Hand-picking and placing the beetles in a bucket of soapy water is an effective way to remove them from the plants. This method can be time-consuming and challenging if there are too many beetles.
- Insecticides: Spraying the affected plants with insecticides specifically designed to kill Japanese beetles, such as Pyrethrin-based insecticides or Neem products like Azatrol or Neem-Away, is a recommended approach. However, it is crucial to follow the application directions on the labels. Reapplication is usually necessary every 3-4 days due to the beetles' mobility.
- Companion planting: Plants with strong odours, such as garlic, can be planted alongside raspberries to help deter adult beetles from feeding on the foliage.
- Milky spore: Applying milky spore (naturally occurring white spores) to the ground is an effective treatment for killing the grubs. The grubs ingest the bacteria and die within a few weeks.
- Japanese Beetle Traps: Ventilated bags or boxes containing chemical attractions, such as sex pheromones and floral scents, can be used to trap and control Japanese beetles. However, these traps may also attract additional beetles from far away, potentially doubling the infestation. Therefore, it is recommended to place them as far away from the raspberries as possible and coordinate with neighbours for combined efforts.
- Preventative measures: Picking raspberries as they ripen and removing damaged or rotting berries can help reduce the attraction of Japanese beetles to the area.
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Raspberry fruitworms
Raspberry fruitworm adults limit their feeding to between the veins of the leaves, skeletonising the unfolding leaves. Adults also feed on buds and open flowers, but the damage is usually minimal. The female beetles lay their eggs on swollen unopened flower buds, inside buds, or on developing fruit. The larvae hatch and bore into the receptacle tissue, often remaining attached to the cup-like interior of the fruit when it is picked, becoming a contaminant to harvested berries. Infestation can result in the downgrading of commercial harvests when the worms are found among the fruit.
To prevent and control raspberry fruitworms, it is best to manage them during the adult stage before they lay eggs. Gardeners can handpick the beetles and drop them into soapy water to kill them without using chemicals. Another option is to treat plants with organically approved microbial pesticides like spinosad or pyrethrin, being careful not to harm bees and other pollinators.
To target raspberry fruitworm pests without harming pollinators, gardeners can properly spray pest control products in their gardens. It is important to stay vigilant and monitor raspberry plants for these beetles in early spring. Inspecting the lower leaves for any damage and using sticky traps near the plants can help monitor their population.
Additionally, gardeners can remove wild hosts like thimbleberries and blackberries around their raspberries to isolate the fruitworm population. Using a rake over dead leaves and other plant material can help eliminate beetles hiding in the debris. After the raspberry harvest, lightly raking the area around each plant can break up or kill any overwintering adult beetles.
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Spider mites
To control spider mites, it is recommended to introduce a natural predator such as the western predatory mite, Galendromus (Typhlodromus) occidentalis, or other generalist predators including western flower thrips, minute pirate bugs, big-eyed bugs, and lacewings. Overhead sprinklers and grass alleyways can also help to deter mites. When growing raspberries in macro-tunnels, it is important to provide good ventilation and temperature management to prevent hot, dry conditions that favour mites.
Chemical miticides can be used when needed, but it is important to avoid toxic insecticides and miticides that may harm natural enemies of spider mites. Insecticidal soaps and oils can be effective in killing mites, but they must come into direct contact with them. Additionally, switching to a slow-release or low-nitrogen fertiliser can help to reduce spider mite reproduction, as high levels of nitrogen in the foliage encourage their reproduction.
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Raspberry beetles
The female adult beetles can lay up to 120 eggs, which they deposit on flowers, buds, or stems. The eggs hatch into pale brown larvae, which feed on the developing fruit, causing it to appear smaller and shrivelled. The larvae then drop to the ground and pupate underground. The adult beetles feed on the leaves of the plant, buds, flowers, and flower buds, leaving distinctive slits between the veins of the leaves as they feed. Injured blossoms often develop into distorted or malformed berries.
To prevent beetle damage, it is recommended to monitor for the presence of adult beetles before flowers open and to apply chemicals before eggs are deposited. Digging over the soil around bushes and inter-row ploughing can also help to control the beetle population.
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Frequently asked questions
Common pests that eat raspberry leaves include Japanese beetles, raspberry fruit worms, the raspberry crown borer, spider mites, and raspberry sawflies.
The key sign of a raspberry sawfly infestation is that the leaves are reduced to skeletons and look like lace. The sawfly eats the soft parts of the leaves, leaving the veins untouched.
Raspberry fruit worms cause holes in flower buds and leaves. The adults feed on buds, open flowers, and developing fruit.
The first sign of a raspberry beetle infestation is damaged raspberries that are not forming correctly. Upon further examination, you will find grubs eating their way into the centre of the fruit.
One way to get rid of Japanese beetles is to hand-pick them and place them in a bucket of soapy water. You can also try companion planting with plants that have a strong odour, such as garlic, to deter the beetles from eating the foliage.
