gooseberry saw fly

[shirlton]

Does anyone have a problem with this. Last year we started with one goosegog bush and it got stripped. This year we have around 10 plants and I 'm not quite sure what to do to protect them.

[shirlton]

[jennym]

We have gooseberry saw fly too, and it does work fast as you say.
I don't use chemical pesticides and have found that mesh doesn't seem to work well with this either.
The way I control it is to inspect the bushes daily when the weather really warms - this tends to be from mid May onwards. You have to look really closely, as the larvae which do the damage are green and hard to see. Usually I spot the signs of leaf munching before I see the larvae. Then it's a matter of squishing them. This is an ongoing job which seems to peter out around end June and sometimes start again in August after the fruit has been picked. If you have white cloth spread around the base of the bush you can gently shake it and the larvae fall on it and you can see them to destroy them.
It's said that disturbing the soil around the base in winter will expose eggs and that birds will eat them but to be honest I havent found this effective.

[ceres]

Mulch around the bushes with rhubarb leaves.

[thifasmom]

i was reading and thinking to suggest making an insecticide with rhubarb leaves then i got to Ceres post ;D

http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-uses.html#TOC71

[shirlton]

Mulch around the bushes with rhubarb leaves.


I'm going to try this as it's the easiest way. Will also try to see these little monsters. Might be something for the grandkids to do instead of bothering the ladybirds and worms.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I've had them in the past, and dealt with it by whacking the bushes to knock them off. After repeating it for a few days, they were all gone. Discharging a firearm next to the bush seems to work as well, if 'The Victorian Kitchen Gardener' is to be believed.

[saddad]

and if that doesn't the disturbance of a swat team turning up on the lottie should!!   ;D

[valmarg]

And if all else fails, chuck a couple of handfuls of peanuts under the bushes.  The birds will find the nuts, and whilst they are at it, find the insects.

valmarg

[Eristic]

Discharging a firearm next to the bush seems to work as well,

Thought that was only for the moles.

[terrier]

My rhubarb crowns are next to the Goosegog bushes, do you think that's enough to frighten the blighters off? Do chooks count as birds 'cos they spend most of their time round that area.. on second thoughts, they might eat the goosegogs  :o

[Robert_Brenchley]

Chooks eat anything that moves, as long as it's small enough.

[Multiveg]

Gooooooooooseberry sawfly has arrived. Just noticed first one today.

[ceres]

I noticed some nibbled leaves today so had a close look and there are gazillions of caterpillars on 2 of my bushes.  I spent more than an hour picking them off.  Daily job from now on I think.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Get a stick and knock them off, it's quicker.

[shirlton]

I did this yesterday but will look at them closely today

[shirlton]

Had a good look yesterday and no sign of any sawfly

[saddad]

Early days yet...  :-X

[Multiveg]

There were only a couple of sawfly things that day which have been squished. No sign of any others (YET), but I am still on the look out.

[saddad]

Not seen any here yet this year...  :-X

[ceres]

I've got rid of the first generation by picking off every day.  None for the last two days.  Two more generations to go  :(