what can be eating my gooseberry plants

[debster]

they are little more then twigs something is munching all the greenery any ideas?

[debster]

[Bugloss2009]

gooseberry sawfly larvae unfortunately

[debster]

ok i have some bug spray ill go and have a look to see if it will kill them too thanks

[goodlife]

Debster...some years ago I started to mulch my gooseberries with rhubarb leaves..I did't know what else to with them.. ::)..and for my supprise I have never suffered ..well my gooseberries have not..with sawfly...
I think rhubarb leaves are either toxic for the pupae, that ovewinters in soil beneath the bush or it is just barrier for them to get there..either way it works and it breaked their life cycle..it doesn't do any harm for the bushes neither..
It is win win situation... ;D ;D ;D

[shirlton]

Debster. Next year put your rhubarb leaves under the bushes. It really does work.

[debster]

what the ones i cut off when i harvest the rhubarb? can i still do it?

[shirlton]

You can still put them under but it might be a case of shutting the door after the horse has bolted. Still worth a try though in case there are anymore sawfly larvae in the ground. If you shake the bush they do drop off and you can dispatch them

[telboy]

I've learnt some thing today. Thankyou!

[valmarg]

In the meantime, rather than spray with insecticides, chuck a few peanuts under the bush.  At this time of year blue tits and great tits are desperate for food for their chicks.  They will find the peanuts, and clear the bush of grubs.

valmarg