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.

Learn more...

• Notes on Current and Gooseberry Diseases and Insects
• OMAFRA Publication 360 Current and Gooseberry Calendar
• OMAFRA Publication 360 Fruit Production Recommendations
• OMAFRA Berry Crops Index page
  

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