Soft Fruit Pest & Diseases
Growing fruit is an enjoyable and rewarding past time, however even the most avid and vigilant of gardeners may occasionally encounter a problem. To help you tackle any challenges posed by mother nature we have put together a range of fact sheets that will assist you in the fruit garden with pest and disease management.
The following tables have been designed to aid diagnosis and treatment of common fruiting problems. We intend to update it as more information becomes available.
Click here for information on fruit tree pests and diseases.
Blackberry & Hybrid Berry Pests, Diseases & Disorders
Symptoms | Possible Problems | Symptoms | Possible Problems |
Leaf distortion/ |
Maggots in fruit | Raspberry Beetle | |
Discoloured cane | Marked/distorted fruit | ||
Blossom damage | Stamen Blight |
Blackcurrant & Jostaberry Pests, Diseases & Disorders
Symptoms | Possible Problems | Symptoms | Possible Problems |
Leaf distortion/ |
American Gooseberry Mildew |
Swollen buds/ discoloured flowers |
Blackcurrant Gall Mite 'Reversion' Virus |
Marking on leaves | Marked/distorted fruit | ||
Holes in leaves | Gooseberry Sawfly |
Blueberry Pests Diseases & Disorders
In the U.K. blueberry plants are largely trouble free and can be grown organically very successfully. In the USA various grubs attack the fruits but in the U.K. the most troublesome pests are birds. They usually wait until the fruits start to change colour and then remove the fruits before they have had a chance to ripen. The most serious diseases are Blueberry Stem Blight and Blueberry Root Rot.
Gooseberry, Red & White Currant Pests, Diseases & Disorders
Grapes Pests Diseases & Disorders
Symptoms | Possible Problems | Symptoms | Possible Problems |
Leaf distortion/ |
Marked/distorted fruit | Brown Rot |
Raspberry Pests, Diseases & Disorders
Strawberry Pests, Diseases & Disorders
Symptoms | Possible Problems | Symptoms | Possible Problems |
Leaf distortion/ marking on leaves |
Aphids Eelworm Green Capsid Bug Lime-induced Chlorosis Powdery Mildew Spider Mite Virus |
Stunted growth |
Eelworm Leatherjackets Spider Mite Strawberry Tarsonemid Mite Vine Weevil |
Holes in leaves | Green Capsid Bug | Flower damage | |
Marked/distorted fruit |
Grey Mould Powdery Mildew Slugs and Snails Strawberry Seed Beetle Tortrix Moth |
Wilt |
Chafer Beetle |