Topic: What is eating my redcurrent?

[John_H]

Help, I have a redcurrent bush which has holes in most of the branches. where something seems to get in and munch back down the branches every time I prune it.

I think it must be some kind of beetle or bug because it seems to die right the way back through out the season.

Does anyone know what is doing this and how I can zap it without chemicals please?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Possibly currant clearwing moth, which tunnels into the shoots as you describe. The remedy is to prune it back far enough to remove all the damage and discolouration, and burn the prunings. hopefully the larvaeor pupae are still in there, and can be eliminated before the next generation emerges to lay eggs.

[John_H]

Thanks Robert, thats really useful. Now I know the possible name of the bug which is doing this, I can have a bit of a surf about on the web to get some more details.

[jennym]

Synanthedon tipuliformis yes I think, is currant clearwing moth.
Products containing pyrethrin and fatty acids may be effective. You may want to use pheromone traps, from these people: http://www.oecos.co.uk/frames.htm