What's eating my cloudberry?

Cloudberry, a low-growing Arctic bog plant, is primarily threatened by vine weevil grubs attacking roots and by raspberry beetle larvae in the fruit. Small mammals such as voles and ptarmigan also eat berries and foliage. Vine weevil is the most damaging insect pest in cultivation.

Adult beetles notch leaf margins; C-shaped grubs eat roots and crowns, causing sudden plant collapse. Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes to moist compost in late summer; use physical barriers and sticky traps for adults; check roots when repotting.

Larvae tunnel into developing drupelets, causing 'maggoty' fruit and premature drop. Spray with an approved insecticide (e.g. pyrethrin) at first pink bud; encourage ground beetles; remove fallen fruit promptly.

Gnaw rhizomes and stems at ground level, killing patches of plants especially in winter under snow cover. Use fine-mesh hardware cloth cylinders around planting areas; set live traps and relocate; encourage raptors with perch posts.