Factsheet 07/11 Horticulture Stoneleigh Park Development Kenilworth Warwickshire CV8 2TL Cane fruit Company T: 0247 669 2051 E: [email protected]

Beetle and weevil pests of cane fruit crops

Nick Birch and Stuart Gordon, James Hutton Institute and Janet Allen, ADAS

This factsheet provides growers with key information about the biology of, and the damage caused by, beetles and weevils to cane fruit crops. It offers guidance on assessing their impact and control. It deals primarily with raspberry beetle (Figure 1), vine weevil, clay coloured weevil (Figure 2), strawberry blossom weevil, cantharid (soldier) beetle, cockchafer and wireworm (click beetle).

Introduction

The value and demand for raspberries, blackberries and other cane fruits in the UK has increased markedly in recent years. A high proportion of raspberries and blackberries are sold through major multiple retailers, who demand a supply of high quality fruit over an extended season.

The majority of crops destined for sale via the multiples are now grown under protection for at least part or the majority of each growing season. Protected cropping can provide an environment suited to some beetle

© Defra and weevil pests but can also pose difficulties in their control.

1 Raspberry beetle adult in raspberry flower With increasing pressure from customers to reduce the use of conventional pesticides and avoid the presence of detectable residues, growers need to adopt novel control methods where possible. This factsheet aims to improve growers’ ability to recognise beetle and weevil pests, monitor for their presence and better understand the integrated and other control methods available.

2 Clay coloured weevil adult Beetles

Beetles and weevils belong to one Fully grown larvae are 6-8 mm blackberry soon after their first flowers of the largest groups of insects, the long, pale yellowish-brown in colour open, attracted by floral volatiles and Coleoptera, with over 4,000 species with darker head and segmental by the reflected light wavelengths alone being recorded in Britain. Some plates along their body (Figure 5). from the flowers. They feed on the are beneficial (e.g. ladybirds) and prey newly opened flowers, either on the on insect and mite pests (e.g. aphids) nectaries at the base of the flower and their presence may reduce the or on the anthers (Figure 8). need for insecticide use. Fortunately, only a small number cause damage to raspberry and other Rubus crops.

Raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus)

Biology 5 Raspberry beetle larva burrowing into receptacle of fruit The adult beetles are small, elongate oval in shape, from 4-5 mm in length Adult raspberry beetles emerge and 1.5-2 mm in width (Figure 3). from the soil in spring and feed They are uniformly light brown- on the young expanding leaves yellow to nearly black. The adults of raspberry primocanes for several days (Figure 6). darken in colour as they mature. 8 Raspberry beetle adult damage to stamens & anthers of raspberry flower

Once fed on Rubus flowers, mating takes place and egg laying begins. Eggs are attached to the anthers or the styles and in commercial plantations, where the beetle populations are generally low, one egg is laid in each flower. Multiple egg laying can occur, in plantations where control is poor or absent 6 Raspberry beetle adults on tips of or where nearby wild host plants primocane (e.g. woodland or hedge brambles and wild/abandoned raspberries) When the air temperature is above provide a reservoir for the build up 14-15ºC, they may fly more than 30m of high populations of beetles. The to feed on flowers of their intermediate 3 Raspberry beetle adult on raspberry complete life cycle of the raspberry flower bud hosts, hawthorn (Crataegus beetle is illustrated in Diagram 1. monogyna), apple (Malus domestica) The eggs are milky white, cylindrical or pear (Pyrus spp). Those that Damage in shape, 1.2 mm long, 0.4 mm wide do not migrate feed on developing and tapered at their ends (Figure raspberry or blackberry leaves and After hatching, young larvae 4). They darken slightly as a beetle buds, causing considerable damage usually feed around the ‘neck’ of larva develops within them. to developing flowers (Figure 7). the developing green fruit (Figure 9). When the fruit begins to ripen, the larvae then burrow into the receptacle inside the developing fruit, where extensive tunnelling can be observed at harvest (Figure 10).

7 Raspberry beetle adult on damaged raspberry flower bud

4 Raspberry beetle egg laid on Beetles that migrated to alternate 9 Raspberry beetle larval damage to the developing fruit hosts fly back to raspberry or flesh of raspberry Diagram 1 Life cycle of the raspberry beetle from the soil the following spring. However, some beetles that have fed on autumn-fruiting raspberries do not pupate in the soil during the first winter, but remain as dormant larvae through the following year, emerging as adults 18-24 months later.

In raspberry, approximately 90% of 11 Raspberry beetle damaged fruits the larvae remain on the plants at harvest with 10% removed with the harvested fruit (Figure 11). In contrast, in hybrid berries, where the fruit is harvested with its receptacle, most larvae are removed with the fruit.

Fully fed larvae drop to the soil (Figure 12), burrow to a depth of about 3-15 cm and form earthen cells. 10 Raspberry beetle larva burrows into They pupate within these cells, most fruit receptacle over-wintering as adults, and emerge 12 Raspberry beetle larva in soil

Wingless weevils

Vine weevil of their elytra (wing cases) which (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) are deeply sculptured (grooved).

Vine weevil is the most common Generally there is one generation of wingless weevil in the UK. It this pest per year, with adult weevils frequently damages strawberry, emerging from the soil in the spring hardy ornamental nursery stock and and early summer. However some house and garden plants. In recent weevils do over winter as adults. All years adult weevils have increasingly vine weevils are parthenogenetic caused damage to raspberry and females. Males are not required in 13 Vine weevil adult on leaf blackberry foliage and posed a risk reproduction. The adult females are as a contaminant of fruit especially most active at night. During daylight of protected crops. Their larvae they are quiescent, hiding under severely damage the roots and thereby weaken cane fruit plantations. weeds, plastic mulches, stones, lumps of soil, leaf litter or under Biology or between other crop debris. The eggs (Figure 14) are white when The largest of the wingless weevils laid, but turn brown just before they found in the UK, adult vine weevils are hatch. Larvae are C-shaped and are 7-11 mm in length (Figure 13). When newly emerged from the soil they are between 8-10 mm in length when a pale brown colour, darkening to fully grown (Figure 15 overleaf). a shiny black to a dull brown colour They pupate in earthen soil cells when mature. There are tufts of before emerging in the spring or yellowish hairs on the upper surface early summer (Figure 16 overleaf). 14 Vine weevil eggs © Defra

15 Vine weevil larvae in soil 18 Vine weevil damage to blackberry 20 Adult vine weevil (left) pictured foliage alongside the clay coloured weevil

The life expectancy of this weevil is thought to be longer than vine weevil, with adult females living up to three years. Adult females emerge from the soil in spring and after a period of intensive feeding they mate and lay their first batch of eggs. Several cycles of feeding and egg-laying may then occur during the spring.

Initially white, the eggs turn brown in the soil prior to hatching so are 16 Vine weevil pupa in soil 19 Vine weevil damage to raspberry very difficult to see. The larvae foliage feed on raspberry roots to a depth of 50 cm, considerably deeper Damage than that of vine weevil. Pupation Clay-coloured weevil occurs in the soil within earthen Weevil larvae feed on and destroy (Otiorhynchus singularis) cells. Adult clay-coloured weevils fine root hairs and bite sections are nocturnal feeders and it is rare out of the main feeding roots of Clay coloured weevil occurs to find them on the foliage during raspberries and blackberries. This throughout the UK and can often be daylight hours. The complete life seriously weakens affected plants found in orchards or on old orchard cycle of the clay coloured weevil (Figure 17). The adults feed mainly sites. Although just a sporadic pest is illustrated in Diagram 2. on the foliage of primocanes and of cane fruit, it can cause severe floricanes, cutting notches out of the damage to raspberry and blackberry Damage margins and gradually destroying plantations in early spring. Most damage is caused by adult the leaf lamina (Figures 18 and Biology weevils feeding on developing lateral 19). They occasionally damage buds at night in the early spring fruiting laterals and flowers and In contrast to vine weevil, the adult (Figure 21). Where weevil infestations also the rind and bases of newly clay coloured weevil is smaller (6-8 are large and especially when their emerged primocanes. They are mm in length), more compact in emergence from the soil coincides potentially serious contaminants of appearance and is speckled brown with the bud elongation phase of the harvested fruit, in both fresh fruit rather than black/brown (Figure 20). crop, whole laterals can be destroyed and machine harvested crops. Diagram 2 Life cycle of the clay coloured weevil

17 Blackberry weakened by larval feeding on roots (left) (Figure 22). If emergence occurs later the damage to leaf petioles and the stems of developing fruiting laterals can be variable, but usually results in weakened and broken laterals. Unlike vine weevil, clay-coloured weevils rarely feed on mature raspberry leaves, probably because of the anti-feedant chemicals they contain.

In other crops and ornamentals, such as Rhododendron, this weevil may also remove the bark from young plants or produce feeding notches in leaves, more 21 Clay coloured weevil feeding on 22 Compete removal of lateral caused in keeping with vine weevil. developing fruiting lateral by clay coloured weevil feeding

Other beetles and weevils

Strawberry blossom weevil Damage Exotic introduced (alien) (Anthonomus rubi) wingless weevils (Otiorhynchus Strawberry blossom weevils damage armadillo and O. salicicola) flower buds and hence cause fruit The strawberry blossom weevil is loss. After laying an egg within an best known in the UK as a pest There has been concern expressed unopened raspberry flower bud, of strawberry. However, it is also about the introduction of exotic (alien) the female weevil bites through an increasingly important pest of wingless weevils into the UK from the flower stalk attaching the bud raspberry in some parts of England, southern Europe in ornamental plants. to the fruiting lateral. The flower especially of late summer fruiting Two species, Otiorhynchus armadillo bud fails to develop further and raspberry varieties such as Malling and Otiorhynchus salicicola are a gradually withers whilst providing the Leo, Octavia and Tadmor. Early concern in raspberry plantations. developing weevil larvae with shelter flowering primocane fruiting varieties Of these two species, O. armadillo and a source of food (Figure 24). can also sometimes be affected. probably poses the greater risk to the cane fruit industry. Research in Biology the Trentino region of northern Italy has shown that this species was Adult strawberry blossom weevils one of the more common weevils in hibernate over winter just below the raspberry plantations and it was able surface of the soil, under crop and to cause significant levels of damage. other plant debris. They emerge Although the distribution of this insect from late April onwards with numbers in the UK is primarily restricted to reaching a peak in mid to late May. urban sites, there is a potential risk They are black with a small body of to commercial cane fruit plantations just 2-4 mm in length (Figure 23). The close to towns and/or garden centres. body is covered with small areas of greyish hairs, predominately in stripes 24 Strawberry blossom weevil damage along the wing cases. They have a to flower buds of raspberry fruiting Cantharid or soldier beetle long snout with a pair of antennae at lateral about one-third the length from the tip. There are several species of the Although the damage can look cantharid or soldier beetle found in The eggs are very small and laid in serious where raspberries have lost flower buds. The larvae are 3-4 mm in the UK, although some of them are flower buds, the consequences have very rare. Little is known about their length, distinctly C-shaped and cream been negligible as the loss is usually biology, but adults are frequently in colour with a light brown head. restricted to late opening flowers found feeding on wild flowers. The which would normally contribute Black Soldier Beetle (Cantharis little to overall yield. Strawberry obscura) is the only species that blossom weevil damage has only has been reported as causing direct caused financial loss where damage damage to plants, both in the UK and © Roger Umpelby has also occurred to earlier flower in the south of France. This species buds or flowers as a result of frost. is widespread in eastern Scotland In such cases, there have been and has been an occasional, but insufficient viable flower buds left locally severe, pest of raspberry. on the affected fruiting laterals to The damage inflicted by this beetle 23 Adult strawberry blossom weevil compensate for both losses. to raspberry was first identified in the early 1990s. Large numbers of stem of expanding fruiting laterals in the damage in horticultural crops adult beetles were observed stripping the spring (Figure 26). This results is done by those belonging to the the epidermis from the expanding in breakage and loss of fruit. genus Agriotes. They usually colonise fruiting laterals of raspberry. This grassland, particularly old, well damage was similar to that caused established pasture. Cane fruit crops by clay-coloured weevil, but there are susceptible to damage when was less evidence of notching. Close established into newly cultivated examination of the laterals also soil following such pasture where showed characteristic ‘bruise’ marks larvae may be present. The larvae caused by the insect’s mouthparts. are characterized by being long and thin insects with hard cylindrical, Identification yellowish-brown bodies that measure up to 30 mm in length (Figure 28). Cantharid beetles fly from late April 26 Adult cantharid beetle damage to lateral The head has well developed biting until June and are usually found mouthparts. Larvae can take up to feeding on flowers. The black soldier five years before pupating. The adult beetle (C. obscura) is recognised Cockchafers beetles are dark brown in colour by its distinct colour (Figure 25). (Figure 28) and make a distinct It is nearly all black except for two Melolontha melolontha, commonly ‘clicking noise’ when they attempt longitudinal orange bands running known as the cockchafer, may bug or to turn over when they are on their down either side of the thorax and a white bug is a member of the group backs. Damage to cane fruit crops small amount of orange-brown around of Scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae). occurs as a result of wireworms the mouthparts. In the field they can Adults of these large beetles (up to feeding on cane roots, leading to be confused with another cantharid cane stunting, wilting and die-back. beetle (possibly C. nigricans) which 35mm long) are often seen flying in can also be found in raspberry May. They are widely distributed in plantations. C. nigricans is of similar Europe, being found as far north as size but differs by virtue of being central Sweden. In Britain, they are ‘dusky’ black with more colour. In found mainly in southern and central addition, the red on the base of England. Adults have a black thorax the antennae, the thorax where (often covered in fine hairs), a pair the colour forms a U-shape and on of reddish-brown wing cases (elytra) the abdomen is slightly darker. and very pronounced fan-shaped antennae and pointed abdomen. Adults begin to fly in May. The larvae

are large white grubs that live in the © Roger Umpelby soil for at least two years (Figure 27). They feed on a wide range of plants including grass and cereals, but can cause localised damage to fruit crops. Damage is most common in cane 27 Cockchafer beetle larva fruit, when crops are established in soils following permanent pasture where high populations of cockchafers are often present. Root feeding by the larvae can give rise to plant stunting, wilting and premature leaf drop. 25 Adult cantharid beetle

Damage Wireworms © Defra The most obvious damage caused by Wireworms are the larvae of click the black soldier beetle is a tearing beetles and are very common in and stripping of the bark which the UK. There are approximately 28 Soil inhabiting wireworms and click exposes the pith of the petioles and 60 different species, but most of beetle

Crop monitoring for beetles and weevils

Raspberry beetle Hawthorn) and in the plantation. signs of beetle feeding and later the Scouting should start several weeks flowers should be examined regularly. A strategy for monitoring should before the crops begin flowering Hybrid berries and blackberries are include use of funnel traps and and continue until mid-flowering. particularly attractive to this pest. regular scouting (every 2-3 days) Raspberry foliage and especially Traps can be used as a guide to for raspberry beetle adults on the expanding leaves at the tips of the need for control and timing of nearby Rosaceous plants (e.g. primocanes need to be checked for chemical control measures. When traps have been installed in high The traps should be examined weekly but will give an indication of numbers numbers per hectare to monitor and the numbers of adult raspberry present. Clay-coloured weevils are far the pest, they have been found to beetles caught should be recorded. more nocturnal in their feeding habits reduce the numbers of adult beeltes If more than 5 beetles have been and much easier to spot in this way; and may offer an option for control, caught in any trap by the start of however damage tends to be more especially in the case of organic flowering, a control measure should localised than with the vine weevil. crops where there are few other be applied locally to the area or control options (see control section). tunnels where the threshold has been exceeded. This threshold may vary Strawberry blossom weevil As part of HDC project SF 74 according to local conditions and (Horticulture LINK HL0175), funnel damage tolerance, which is generally Start scouting some three weeks traps (Figure 29) were developed by very low for raspberry beetle. before first flowers open. Initial signs the James Hutton Institute (formerly of strawberry blossom weevil will be SCRI) and Agrisense BSC Ltd. Pickers should be trained to check small notches cut out of the margins These traps are baited with a lure fruit during picking, both to exclude of the unfolding leaves. Some flowers which mimics the colour and smell any damaged fruit and to report the may also have small bite marks of raspberry flowers, and can be presence of any beetle larvae found. (holes) in their petals. Flower buds used during the period from beetle hanging down where they have been emergence (generally 3 – 4 weeks severed are a classic sign of the before crop flowering) until flowering Weevils pest’s presence. Small holes in the has finished. For new users, the traps petals may also be evident. Autumn should be used alongside traditional During the winter, growers should or late summer-fruiting raspberry scouting techniques whilst experience examine any areas of poor cane varieties are the most affected. is gained. At least 50 traps/ha should growth, particularly if it is known that be deployed and placed at a height of weevils are present in nearby crops. 1 – 1.6 m above ground level within Surface soil should be lightly moved Cantharid or soldier beetle aside and crop roots checked for the crop canopy. The traps should be signs of feeding and/or presence of The presence of black soldier spaced evenly in a grid iron pattern larvae/pupae. Early covered crops beetles can only be detected by in the field. Additional traps should (and those under glass) should be routine inspection of the plantation be deployed near any remaining checked in late April/early May for during the growing season prior to wild sources of raspberry beetle. signs of exit holes on the soil surface fruiting. It is essential that correct and immature adult weevils hiding identification of the insect is made amongst weeds, polythene, mulch before any chemical treatment is etc. Should weevils be present, used. There are several similar evidence of leaf notching on the lower looking insects that may be on the leaves may appear. Any primocanes fruit that are totally harmless. present may have evidence of chewing in the shoot tip. In addition, the rind around the bases of canes Cockchafers and wireworms may be bitten into sometimes leading either to cane branching or wilting. Populations of cockchafers and Regular monitoring thereafter should wireworms are usually low unless spot further feeding damage on the field concerned has a previous leaves, stems and fruiting laterals. history of grassland or longer-term set-aside. Digging and examination An additional approach is to check of the old ground may give an for weevil feeding by examining crops indication of a possible infestation between dusk and 1am. This is only and whether a more detailed 29 Raspberry beetle funnel trap effective on dry, warm, still nights – risk assessment is advisable.

Control of beetles and weevils

Satisfactory control of beetle and at planting and in the early shelter for adult weevils and lead to weevil pests begins with a proper establishment years for weed the contamination of harvested fruit. appreciation of the threat likely to be control and moisture conservation. encountered at each growing site. However, they provide shelter If possible, avoid establishing new Having assessed this, an appropriate for weevil populations and where cane fruit plantations on land that mix of cultural, biological and these pests have been found to be has been down to permanent grass chemical measures can be employed a problem they are best removed or set-aside for more than four to achieve economic control. within one or two years of planting. years. If there is no alternative, a careful examination of the sward Where weevils are present, picking roots, especially grasses, should Cultural control trays, containers and associated be made before considering equipment should not be placed on planting. Wireworm populations Polythene mulches are useful the ground where they could provide can be a potential threat for up to five years following cultivations. If possible. Indiscriminate use of slug must be moist for the nematodes numbers are found or suspected, pellets may adversely affect beetle to work effectively. The nematodes populations can be reduced before populations, so their use should be swim through the moisture film establishing cane fruit by repeated kept to a minimum. A number of bird around the particles of soil/compost cultivations, or by sowing a cereal species are also known to feed on to find and enter the vine weevil break crop where the seed has adult vine weevil. Song thrush and larvae. Once inside the larvae, they been treated with an insecticide skylark will both consume weevils but release bacteria which kill the hosts designed to offer wireworm control. are not widespread. Pheasant and within a few days. The nematodes partridge are more common and can reproduce inside the larvae, and the Following planting, establishment be useful as they tend to scratch and next generation of nematodes swim of a grass sward between the crop peck around the base of plants where off to find more prey. Nematodes do rows will encourage migration of any the adults are found. Chickens work not prevent vine weevil infestations wireworm into the alleyways and in the same way and can also be very and will only control existing vine away from the crop. Ryegrass is beneficial if present in high enough weevil larvae in soils or composts. particularly effective for this purpose. numbers. Observational evidence also points to hedgehogs as useful The bio insecticide is an night time predators of vine weevils. entomopathogenic fungus Predators and natural enemies Metarhizium anisopliae (sold There is little other information about as Met 52 granular). Its spores Raspberry beetles have a number predators and natural enemies of germinate and the fungal hyphae of natural enemies, particularly other beetles and weevils. However, penetrate and grow within the parasitoids which feed on beetle birds including tits, sparrows, insect. Death usually occurs within larvae and birds which feed on chaffinches and goldfinches, have a few days and a new generation adult beetles. The chalcid wasp, been recorded as predators of apple of spores are produced on hyphae Tetrastichus halidayi and the blossom weevil. In addition, it is emerging from the dead insect. In predators Anthocoris nemorum probable that general predators such the absence of a suitable host, the (common flower bug) and Chrysopa as spiders and ladybirds predate spores can remain in the soil for perla (lacewing) have been reported strawberry blossom weevil adults. years without germinating, providing as attacking raspberry beetle larvae longevity from a single treatment. and eggs. On their own they are unlikely to provide sufficient control, Biological control Specific details of the products given the very low damage tolerance available are listed in Table 1. for this pest. However, as the industry There are currently very few reduces its use of conventional biological control agents available insecticides by improving trapping for controlling any of the beetles and Chemical control and monitoring techniques, their weevils included in this factsheet. usefulness will increase. Despite being able to influence the The exception is vine weevil, for numbers and levels of infestations Vine weevils have a number of natural which both insect pathogenic through use of cultural, natural and enemies. Work done by East Malling nematodes and a bio insecticide are biological control measures, for Research and ADAS (Projects SF commercially available for control many of the beetles and weevils 15b and 15c) has shown that a range of the larval stage of the pest. described in this factsheet, some of ground beetles (carabids) and form of chemical insecticides will rove beetles (staphylinids) feed on In the case of nematodes, species of be required to keep the pests vine weevil. Different species feed both Steinernema and Heterorhabditis fully under control. A list of all the on different life stages of the pest. are available. They are applied in a chemical insecticides approved for Although they won’t prevent vine drench to the soil or substrate when use on raspberry, blackberry and weevil from becoming a problem, young larvae are present in the hybrid berry are included in Table they are worth encouraging wherever growing medium. The soil or compost 2 (see insert in back cover).

Table 1 Biological control agents currently approved for use in cane fruit crops for the control of vine weevil larvae

Biological agent Pack size Rate of use Other information Steinernema kraussei 50 or 250 million 1 million treats 1m2 Drench application; water (Various products) temp 5ºC -15ºC, works down to soil temp. of 5ºC Steinernema carpocapsae 5, 50 or 250 1 million treats 1m2 Compost or soil should (Various products) million be moist and its temp. between 14ºC – 30ºC Heterorhabditis spp. 50 million 1 million treats 1m2 Compost or soil should be moist (Various products) and its temp. not below 12ºC for 2 weeks after treatment Metarhizium anisopliae 1 kg and 10 kg Compost – incorporate Compost or soil temp. should (Met 52 granular) granules at 0.5 kg/m3 be between 15ºC – 30ºC Soils – broadcast at a rate of and not excessively wet. 122 kg/ha immediately prior Full approval – raspberry to planting and incorporate and blackberry. SOLA – into top 5cm of soil loganberry and hybrid berry It should be noted that all of the numbers present through funnel suitable for the first harvest. Further insecticides listed have a broad trapping and/or regular scouting, monitoring should be undertaken spectrum of activity and will have as described earlier. Knowledge up to the start of the second fruiting varying harmful effects on non-target of the site history should also be period, to determine whether insect species, including beneficial taken into account along with additional treatments are required. insects. Further details on the effect market tolerance to the pest. of the active ingredients listed on Where prior knowledge indicates predators commonly used in cane With summer-fruiting raspberries, a greater threat, a two-spray fruit production are included in where few or no raspberry beetles programme should be considered, Table 3 (see insert in back cover). have been detected, then no one at green bud stage and the preventative insecticide applications second at late green fruit. Only may be necessary. Should Formulating a control programme under exceptional circumstances raspberry beetles have been found is it likely that three spays for In planning control measures, or trap thresholds reached, then raspberry beetle would be needed. knowledge of the threat likely in most situations a single spray to be encountered from the key at late green bud will suffice. For blackberries, similar programmes pests will help. The choice of would be suitable, but on some product should be dictated by the For primocane raspberry crops sites where high raspberry beetle seriousness of pest infestation, grown purely for autumn cropping, a populations have been recognised the time of year, harvest intervals combination of scouting and trapping and requirement for minimising is recommended for detection of and damage has been experienced, potential pesticide residues. raspberry beetle, with summer- a programme of three sprays should fruiting control programmes followed. be considered at early green bud, The decision to use a chemical For double-cropped primocane late green bud and late green fruit pesticide for raspberry beetle control varieties, a similar programme to stages. Rubus hybrids should should be based on knowledge of that for summer-fruiting types is be treated as for blackberries.

Action points for growers

●● Protected cropping of cane pests and the damage they control programmes. fruits provides a favourable can cause (see HDC Cane environment for beetle and Fruit Crop Walkers’ Guide). ●● Where feasible, employ biological weevil development and more and integrated measures to control challenging conditions for applying ●● Use monitoring and scouting pests and to minimise residues successful control measures. techniques to build up knowledge and impact on the environment. of the potential threat from ●● Growers should make sure that each pest and the timing of ●● Implement control measures their field staff and pickers have their appearance. Use this early to reduce the need to use suitable training to identify key information to plan and adjust pesticides close to harvest. Further information

Suppliers of biological Suppliers of funnel traps for control agents raspberry beetle monitoring

Agralan Ltd (Biobest products) AgriSense The Old Brickyard Treforest Industrial Estate Ashton Keynes Pontypridd Swindon South Wales CF37 5SU Wiltshire SN6 6QR Tel. (01443) 841155 Tel . (01285) 860015 www.agrisense.co.uk www.agralan.co.uk

Becker Underwood UK Other useful publications Unit 1 Harwood Industrial Estate Harwood Road HDC Factsheet 08/08 Littlehampton Strawberry blossom weevil West Sussex BN17 7AU Tel. (01903) 732323 HDC Factsheet 01/03 www.beckerunderwood.co.uk Vine weevil control in soft fruit crops

BCP Certis SAC Technical Note Newbury House Recognising pest damage Court Lodge Farm on raspberries Hinxhill Ashford HDC Crop Walkers’ Guide Kent TN25 5NR Cane Fruit Tel. (01233) 667080 www.bcpcertis.com Project reports Biowise Hoyle Depot SF 74 Graffham Integrated pest and disease Petworth management for high quality West Sussex GU28 0LR protected raspberry production Tel. (01798) 867574 (Horticulture LINK HL 0175). www.biowise-biocontrol.co.uk

Fargro Ltd Images Toddington Lane Littlehampton All of the images included in this West Sussex BN17 7PP factsheet are provided by the authors Tel. (01903) 721591 unless stated otherwise alongside. www.fargro.co.uk

Koppert UK Ltd Unit 8 53 Hollands Road Haverhill Suffolk CB9 8PJ Tel. (01440) 704488 www.koppert.co.uk

Syngenta Bioline Telstar Nursery Holland Road Little Clacton Clacton Essex CO16 9QG Tel. (01255) 863200 www.syngenta-bioline.co.uk

Biocontrol agents can also be obtained through most horticultural merchants. Non-capacity pocket to go here © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material While the Agriculture and Horticulture form (including by photocopy or storage in any Development Board, operating through its HDC medium by electronic means) or any copy or division, seeks to ensure that the information adaptation stored, published or distributed (by contained within this document is accurate physical, electronic or other means) without the at the time of printing, no warranty is given in prior permission in writing of the Agriculture and respect thereof and, to the maximum extent Horticulture Development Board, other than by permitted by law, the Agriculture and Horticulture reproduction in an unmodified form for the sole Development Board accepts no liability for loss, purpose of use as an information resource when damage or injury howsoever caused (including the Agriculture and Horticulture Development that caused by negligence) or suffered directly or Board is clearly acknowledged as the source, indirectly in relation to information and opinions or in accordance with the provisions of the June 2011 contained in or omitted from this document. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Table 2 Insecticides currently approved for use with cane fruit crops offering control of beetles and weevils 4 applications/ or max 3 l/ha or max 1.8 kg/ha under protection. Protected crops 4 Maximum individual dose of 250ml/ha, 3 to product. Unlimited applications / annum Equity 3 applications product/600 l of water Rate varies according May cause crop scorch and other information must not exceed 12 l of maximum concentration Neo-nicotinoid pesticide ha (according to method Max total dose 750ml/ha Max no. of applications of application), maximum Maximum individual dose to method of application), dose 9-24 l/ha (according 75ml/ha, 2 applications or max 150 ml/ha per annum 2 l of product/100 water year, individual dose 6-12 l/ year, applications/year, individual applications/year, Organophosphate pesticide Dursban WG 3 applications Systemic pyrethroid pesticide Systemic pyrethroid pesticide Outdoor crops concentration must not exceed Clay- green beetle beetle beetle SOLA weevil capsid Target Target Aphids Aphids label or Capsids Capsids coloured Common pests on Raspberry Raspberry Raspberry Raspberry cane midge Nil Not stated 7 days 3 days 28 days interval Harvest û û û û ü Protected Hybrid Berry û û ü ü (S) ü (S) Outdoor û û û ü ü (S) Protected Blackberry ü ü (S) ü (S) ü (S) ü (S) Outdoor û ü ü ü ü (S) Protected Raspberry ü ü ü ü (S) ü (S) Outdoor All weevil by use weevils Blossom wireworm wireworm wireworm All except controlled Most except Most except incidentally Beetles and Decis Equity Spruzit Typical Typical Calypso Hallmark products with Zeon technology Dursban WG Active lambda pyrethrins thiacloprid ingredient cyhalothrin chlorpyrifos deltamethrin (S) Specific off label approval (S) Specific off Table 3 Harmful effects posed by approved insecticides to predators commonly used in cane fruit crops

Active Amblyseius Amblyseius Feltiella Phytoseiulus Product Bees ingredient californicus cucumeris acarisuga persimilis Moderately Moderately Harmful to harmful to harmful to Do not apply adults & adults & adults & to crops in chlorpyrifos e.g. Equity nymphs Harmful nymphs nymphs flower or when (6-8 weeks) bees foraging (2 weeks) (up to 3 days)

Moderately Harmful to Harmful to Harmful to harmful to adults & adults & adults & Do not apply deltamethrin Decis adults & nymphs nymphs nymphs during flowering nymphs (> 8 weeks) (> 8 weeks) (> 8 weeks)

Moderately Harmful to Harmful to Hallmark lambda- harmful to adults & Harmful adults & Do not apply with Zeon cyhalothrin adults & nymphs nymphs during flowering technology (> 8 weeks) nymphs (> 8 weeks) (> 8 weeks)

Harmful Harmful Harmful Do not apply pyrethrins Spruzit Harmful (1 week) (1 week) during flowering Harmful No SOLA Moderately to larvae Moderately restriction on thiacloprid Calypso ? harmful moderately harmful applying during harmful to (2 weeks) flowering adults

Safe: kills<25% Slightly harmful: kills 25-50% Moderately harmful: kills 50-75% Harmful: kills >75%

(Persistence against bio controls given in brackets)

? Side effects on bio controls or persistence not known.

This data has been compiled from the following websites, and from the practical experience of ADAS, BCP Certis and Syngenta Bioline: http://www.biobest.be http://www.koppert.com

© Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material While the Agriculture and Horticulture form (including by photocopy or storage in any Development Board, operating through its HDC medium by electronic means) or any copy or division, seeks to ensure that the information adaptation stored, published or distributed (by contained within this document is accurate physical, electronic or other means) without the at the time of printing, no warranty is given in prior permission in writing of the Agriculture and respect thereof and, to the maximum extent Horticulture Development Board, other than by permitted by law, the Agriculture and Horticulture reproduction in an unmodified form for the sole Development Board accepts no liability for loss, purpose of use as an information resource when damage or injury howsoever caused (including the Agriculture and Horticulture Development that caused by negligence) or suffered directly or Board is clearly acknowledged as the source, indirectly in relation to information and opinions or in accordance with the provisions of the June 2011 contained in or omitted from this document. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.