Raspberry, Blackberry & Blueberry
Overview
Australians love raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, and growers have planted more of these berryfruit crops in recent years to meet the rising demand of consumers.
Compared to strawberry crops, raspberry, blackberry and blueberry crops have slightly less complex pest issues and. We help growers across the country successfully control berryfruit pests with tailored IPM programs and minimal chemicals.
Two-Spotted Mite is a major pest in raspberries and some blackberry varieties. Broad Mite, aphids, and whiteflies are minor pests but will create additional challenges when they do establish. Fungus Gnat can be a nuisance pest in hydroponic crops.
Berryfruit are also affected by secondary pests such as a range of caterpillars, some beetles, Rutherglen Bugs, Mirids, slugs, Red Berry Mite, snails and some other sap-sucking bugs. Chilli Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) emerged more recently as a very serious pest of blueberries and raspberries in Western Australia and efforts are underway to establish a program to control them.
Signs you have Raspberry, Blackberry & Blueberry pests
The key to controlling pests in your berryfruit effectively is detecting them early and introducing beneficials at the right moment.
- Two-Spotted Mite. This major pest of raspberry and blackberry crops is not normally a pest of blueberries. They cause extreme damage to foliage and will seriously damage plant health if you do not control it well. The mites feed on the undersides of the leaves and damage appears as yellow or white speckling of the leaves. At high levels, the Two-spotted Mites form webs that cover the leaves and produce.
- Aphid, whitefly or Mealybug. Leaves covered with honeydew indicate these pests, resulting in sooty mould.
- Broad Mite. These mites distort the youngest leaves close to the growing points and can cause growth to cease.
- Signs of caterpillars. Chewing damage to the stems, flowers, fruits and leaves indicates the presence of caterpillars.
If you notice high numbers of beetles, Rutherglen bugs, Green Vegetable Bugs or other sap-sucking bugs, you should choose a selective pesticide to reduce the harm to any beneficial present. Contact your Biological Services Consultant for advice.
Products you can use to control Raspberry, Blackberry & Blueberry pests
Biological Services produces a range of products to control pests in your berryfruit.
A feature of our raspberry and blackberry IPM programs is controlling Two-Spotted Mite using Californicus sachets preventatively and then our pure supply of Phytoseiulus persimilis (Persimilis). Our Persimilis is not contaminated with pests and we can advise you on how much to release to balance the predator to prey ratio in your crop. This will make sure Two-Spotted Mite hotspots and other pests won’t develop at your release points, which can occur when applying predators supplied on leaf.
Other tips for managing pests in your Raspberry, Blackberry & Blueberry
Follow best irrigation and agronomy practices. Healthy plants are less susceptible to pest and disease outbreaks. Start scouting early in the crop cycle to detect Two-Spotted Mite activity as soon as possible.
Your local Biological Services consultant can provide year-round crop monitoring and IPM program advice.
Get tailored advice for your commercial crop
To speak with one of our qualified consultants about your current commercial crop challenge or to learn about the benefits of the IPM maintenance and monitoring services we provide, contact us.
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