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Strawberry-blossom weevil

Strawberry-blossom weevil; the 3 mm large beetles occur on strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. The beetles lay their eggs in the flower buds.

Also known as:
Eurasian strawberry blossom weevil

recognize strawberry-blossom weevil
Strawberry-blossom weevil, photo: James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster

Strawberry-blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi) . These 3 mm large beetles occur on strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. The beetles lay their eggs in the flower buds. The larva feeds on the bud from the inside and pupates in the flower bud after a few weeks. The beetle eats its way out of the flower bud, after which it withers. Greatest damage at the end of May.

Beetles become active in spring during sunny weather and when soil temperatures reach 10 to 14°C. The strawberry-blossom weevil likes enclosed plots near forest edges or parks and typically found on berry plants from May until the end of September. In the first weeks, weevils feed on leaves (straw-, rasp- and blackberries), chewing small round holes in them.

Affected plants

Control

Difficult to control; as soon as small holes in the petals become visible, check for beetles and remove them.

Prevention

Provide a bird-friendly environment: birds eat insects including the strawberry-blossom weevil. Letting go of a bunch of chickens between the strawberries now and then also helps.

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