Pest identification
What's eating my beth pear?
Pear midge (Contarinia pyrivora)
Signs: Larvae destroy the interior of young fruitlets, which turn black inside and drop six to eight weeks before normal harvest.
Control: Spray deltamethrin at white-bud stage before flowers open; gather and bin all affected early-drop fruit to prevent the next generation entering the soil.
Pear sucker (Cacopsylla pyricola)
Signs: Sap-feeding nymphs coat leaves and shoots in honeydew, leading to sooty mould and poor shoot extension.
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap at bud break; support populations of anthocorid bugs, a key natural predator.
Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris)
Signs: Excavates ripe fruit flesh and attacks any split or bird-pecked fruit, greatly increasing losses near harvest.
Control: Use wasp traps; harvest promptly when ripe; pick up windfalls daily.
Codling moth (Cydia pomonella)
Signs: Core-boring larvae leave frass-filled tunnels rendering fruit inedible; affected fruit drops early.
Control: Pheromone traps from late May; spinosad or pyrethrin at petal fall; destroy windfalls.
Keep beth pear pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats european pear — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats beth pear — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common beth pear problems & fixes
- Beth Pear watering schedule
- Beth Pear light requirements
- Full beth pear care guide
Beth Pear pests — FAQ
What is eating my beth pear?
Beth Pear, an early-ripening variety, is vulnerable to pear midge, pear sucker, and codling moth, with wasps and birds targeting its sweet, early fruit in August. Pear midge is the most damaging pest, wiping out a significant portion of the crop by causing fruitlets to blacken and drop in June.
How do I get rid of pear midge (contarinia pyrivora) on beth pear?
Larvae destroy the interior of young fruitlets, which turn black inside and drop six to eight weeks before normal harvest. Spray deltamethrin at white-bud stage before flowers open; gather and bin all affected early-drop fruit to prevent the next generation entering the soil.
How do I get rid of pear sucker (cacopsylla pyricola) on beth pear?
Sap-feeding nymphs coat leaves and shoots in honeydew, leading to sooty mould and poor shoot extension. Spray with insecticidal soap at bud break; support populations of anthocorid bugs, a key natural predator.
How do I get rid of common wasp (vespula vulgaris) on beth pear?
Excavates ripe fruit flesh and attacks any split or bird-pecked fruit, greatly increasing losses near harvest. Use wasp traps; harvest promptly when ripe; pick up windfalls daily.
How do I get rid of codling moth (cydia pomonella) on beth pear?
Core-boring larvae leave frass-filled tunnels rendering fruit inedible; affected fruit drops early. Pheromone traps from late May; spinosad or pyrethrin at petal fall; destroy windfalls.