Pest identification
What's eating my polka raspberry?
Raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus)
Signs: White grubs inside ripe berries; maggoty fruits; early drop
Control: Spray pyrethrum or deltamethrin at petal-fall and again when fruits colour; time sprays for evening to protect pollinators
Aphids (Amphorophora idaei)
Signs: Distorted young shoots; honeydew and sooty mould; virus vector
Control: Encourage beneficial insects; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil early in infestation; remove heavily infested shoot tips
Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Fine pale stippling on leaves; webbing on undersides in hot, dry spells
Control: Improve watering in dry weather; introduce predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis; spray with fatty acid soap
Birds
Signs: Ripe autumn fruits stripped; heavy crop loss without protection
Control: Net canes with fine-mesh fruit cage; use bird-scaring tape as a temporary deterrent
Keep polka raspberry pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Polka Raspberry pests — FAQ
What is eating my polka raspberry?
Polka raspberry faces raspberry beetle as the primary pest — grubs ruin ripe fruits. Aphids, spider mites during summer drought, and birds targeting the heavy autumn crop are also common threats. Use a fruit cage, monitor for beetle at petal-fall, and keep canes well spaced for airflow.
How do I get rid of raspberry beetle (byturus tomentosus) on polka raspberry?
White grubs inside ripe berries; maggoty fruits; early drop Spray pyrethrum or deltamethrin at petal-fall and again when fruits colour; time sprays for evening to protect pollinators
How do I get rid of aphids (amphorophora idaei) on polka raspberry?
Distorted young shoots; honeydew and sooty mould; virus vector Encourage beneficial insects; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil early in infestation; remove heavily infested shoot tips
How do I get rid of two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae) on polka raspberry?
Fine pale stippling on leaves; webbing on undersides in hot, dry spells Improve watering in dry weather; introduce predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis; spray with fatty acid soap
How do I get rid of birds on polka raspberry?
Ripe autumn fruits stripped; heavy crop loss without protection Net canes with fine-mesh fruit cage; use bird-scaring tape as a temporary deterrent