Scale is an umbrella term used to identify nearly 8,000 varieties of wingless, sucking insect species in the order Hemiptera.One of the more common garden pests, these minute org
30.06.2023 - 01:07 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren
How to Identify and Control Currant Fruit Flies Epochra canadensis (syn. Euphranta canadensis)If you’ve ever plucked a juicy, ripe gooseberry from the plant and taken a bite, only to be horrified to discover a tiny white maggot has taken up residence in the middle of the fruit, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
Gooseberry or currant maggots are tiny pests that burrow into currants and gooseberries, and devour the pulp and seeds inside.
That hungry maggot is the larval form of the currant fruit fly, aka the yellow currant fly.
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Beyond being a seriously traumatizing dining experience if you go to take a bite from a fruit that’s been infested, they can also cause the fruit to drop from the bush, so you lose out on that tasty harvest you’ve been working so hard to cultivate. And no one wants that!
Fortunately, this guide will help you identify and control these little pests. Here’s what we’ll discuss up ahead:
The good news is that these pests are totally manageable, but the bad news is that it takes some effort.
I have a friend who stopped growing gooseberries commercially in Oregon because she got sick of all the damage this pest was doing to her harvest. But for the average home grower, it’s just going to require some dedication.
On that note, let’s get going!
What Are Currant Fruit Flies?Currant fruit flies are small insects that lay eggs that develop into larvae, and feed on the fruits of gooseberry and currant bushes.
Don’t confuse currant fruit flies with the imported currant worm (Nematus ribesii). That’s a whole other problem.
These green larvae with black spots are caterpillars that nibble on the foliage
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