Pest identification
What's eating my joan j raspberry?
Raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus)
Signs: Grubs found inside ripe or near-ripe berries; fruits drop early or are inedible
Control: Apply an approved insecticide (e.g. pyrethrum) at petal-fall and again when fruits start to colour; pick over fruits before eating
Aphids (Amphorophora idaei / Macrosiphum euphorbiae)
Signs: Curled, distorted leaf tips; sticky honeydew; may transmit raspberry mosaic virus
Control: Blast off with water; introduce or encourage ladybirds and lacewings; spray with insecticidal soap if colonies are heavy
Birds (especially blackbirds, starlings)
Signs: Ripe berries stripped from canes overnight or early morning
Control: Drape fine-mesh fruit cage netting over canes once fruits begin to colour; remove netting after harvest to allow pollination next season
Raspberry cane midge blight (Resseliella theobaldi + Botrytis/Didymella)
Signs: Cane bark splits at ground level; purple/black lesions; wilting laterals
Control: Cut out and destroy affected canes; avoid waterlogging; thin canes to improve airflow; spray with copper-based fungicide at bud-burst
Keep joan j raspberry pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Joan J Raspberry pests — FAQ
What is eating my joan j raspberry?
Joan J raspberry is targeted by raspberry beetle (the most damaging), aphids, spider mites in hot weather, and cane blight. Birds will strip ripe fruits quickly. Deer and rabbits browse young canes. Net fruiting canes to protect from birds and inspect regularly for beetle grubs in ripening berries.
How do I get rid of raspberry beetle (byturus tomentosus) on joan j raspberry?
Grubs found inside ripe or near-ripe berries; fruits drop early or are inedible Apply an approved insecticide (e.g. pyrethrum) at petal-fall and again when fruits start to colour; pick over fruits before eating
How do I get rid of aphids (amphorophora idaei / macrosiphum euphorbiae) on joan j raspberry?
Curled, distorted leaf tips; sticky honeydew; may transmit raspberry mosaic virus Blast off with water; introduce or encourage ladybirds and lacewings; spray with insecticidal soap if colonies are heavy
How do I get rid of birds (especially blackbirds, starlings) on joan j raspberry?
Ripe berries stripped from canes overnight or early morning Drape fine-mesh fruit cage netting over canes once fruits begin to colour; remove netting after harvest to allow pollination next season
How do I get rid of raspberry cane midge blight (resseliella theobaldi + botrytis/didymella) on joan j raspberry?
Cane bark splits at ground level; purple/black lesions; wilting laterals Cut out and destroy affected canes; avoid waterlogging; thin canes to improve airflow; spray with copper-based fungicide at bud-burst