Notes on Current and Gooseberry
Insects
Currant fruit fly
Identification
The larva or maggot of the currant fruit fly infests currant and gooseberry
fruit. The larva is white, pointed at one end and has no obvious head
or legs. The adult fly, slightly larger than a housefly, is approx. 8
mm long, with a brownish-yellow body and distinct dark bands on its wings.
Period of activity
The adults lay eggs in young, green fruit. The larvae feed inside the
fruit and infested fruit drops prematurely. The larvae exit the fallen
berries, then pupate and overwinter in the soil.
Monitoring
Currant fruit fly adults can be successfully trapped with yellow sticky
boards that are baited with an attractant for apple maggot.
- Place traps in the bush at the same level as the fruit. Check traps
twice a week from green fruit through to first harvest for currant fruit
fly adults.
- No thresholds have been developed so use the traps to fine-tune the
timing of insecticides.
Management Notes
Rake up fallen berries to reduce pest pressure. Lightly cultivate the
soil beneath the bushes to expose the pupae and larvae to predators. Properly
timed insecticide applications will control this pest. See the Currant
and Gooseberry Calendar.
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