Question
My raspberries and red and very sweet and now I have found thread-like worms on the fruit (about 2-4 in a bowl) when washing. What are they and how do I treat the fruits? They are black or grayish and threadlike and about 1/ to 2/3 of an inch long.
Answer(s)
It sounds like you might have the western raspberry fruitworm, but it is hard to know for sure without a sample. This is a beetle. The adults will feed on the leaves in spring and lay eggs on the fruit. The larvae feed within the developing fruit for 5-6 weeks, and are especially noticed at harvest. The larvae, however, are whitish and only about 1/3-inch long. The larvae then drop to the ground to overwinter as pupae in the soil. Treatment is targeted at the period of egg hatch, just at pre-bloom and again post bloom, if necessary. Spinosad is an excellent, safe product to use, but carbaryl and malathion will also work.
These larvae can be washed out, as you have done, and they are also killed in the canning or freezing process.
If possible, please bring a sample of the damaged fruit as well as the larvae to your local Extension office, and they can send the sample to the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab. Or, you can visit the Web site for forms and mailing instructions: www.utahpests.usu.edu/uppdl. This way, we will be recommending the right treatment for the right pest.
Other Questions In This Topic
- I had some trouble with Squash Bugs attacking my Spagetti Squash. Now my plants looks as if it may have Cucurbit Yellow Vine Disease (CYVD). Should I try to deteremine if its really CYVD and if it is, what do I need to do?
- I have a big problem with a little pest in my house. I would call them fruit flies, but they don't hang around fruit. They mostly bug me as I sit here at this computer, and often times in the bathroom by the mirror. How can I get rid of these tiny flies?
- I have tons of ants outside my house. When I am weeding I run into them. I have put down some diazion and they are still there always in the same spots. Is there anything I can use outside to get rid of them permentaly. If I don't keep the diazion granules in my cracks in my garage they are always there to. I just want them gone.
- I had a small fly with speckled wings basically destroy my peaches this year, about the size of a small "housefly". They lay eggs through the skin that go to the pit and then if left hatch into small worm type larvae. They got into every peach, but did not start getting there until the peaches were starting to ripen. It at first looks like a small round spot, but with time rots the fruit and turns it brown. What are they and how do you get rid of them?
- Pole bean plants are getting eaten by something, little bites all over. Now leaves are turning yellow and drying up. What do you think the problem is. They get plenty of water.
- I live in Bloomington Just south of Saint George, Utah. About a week ago I noticed hundreds of little greenish/yellowish flying bugs. Like I said they have been here about a week and they are not going away. I have lived in the area for about six years now and have never seen them before. Do you have any idea what they are and how I can control them? Regards Randy
- I have ants all over my yard. I also have domestic cats and wild birds. Is there any organic or other non-toxic way to kill the ants without putting poison in my yard? If not, what is the most effective, least toxic substance I can use?
- We planted linden trees this year and wrapped the trunks with white corrugated tubing to prevent sun scald in the winter. In looking at leaf damage on the outside border of the leaves, I noted that there were literally hundreds of small gray/black flying insects clustered under the tree wrap. What might they be and are they responsible for the chewed leaves? What treatment is needed?
