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RASPBERRY BEETLE
(Byturus tomentosus)
A
pest which affects raspberry, blackberry and loganberry flowers. The small
brown Raspberry Beetles lay their eggs on the flowers and hatch into pale brown larva.
They then feed on the developing fruit, causing it to dry up. The fruit
will be smaller than normal and will appear shrivelled and dry.
The
larvae fall off after a time, and can be seen on the soil at the base of
the plant. This is a common problem which is prevented by spraying with
'derris' (commonly available at garden centres) when the fruits first
begin to form and then four weeks later. Try to spray in the evenings when
bees are no longer present, because 'derris' will kill bees. Another
solution, is to hoe the soil in late Spring and early Summer. This will
bring the pupae to the surface - birds love them and will do the hard work
for you!
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