Field Guide by British Columbia Blueberry Council
Find out what is in your field.
A field identification guide to the insect pests, diseases, abiotic disorders and beneficial insects found in blueberry plantings in British Columbia.
Browse the guide
Start with what you can see.
Insect Pests
Insects and other animals that feed on blueberry plants and fruit.
Diseases
Fungal and bacterial diseases affecting fruit, leaves, canes and roots.
Viruses
Viral infections spread by aphids, pollen and infected planting stock.
Abiotic Disorders
Damage from weather, nutrients, sprays and other non-living causes.
Beneficial Insects
Predators, parasitoids and pollinators that work in your favour.
Crop Growth Stages
Identify the stage your crop is at to time scouting and sprays.
Not in BC
Pests and diseases to watch for that are not yet established in BC.
When to scout
Bud break through harvest.
Blueberry scouting begins for mummy berry at bud break (February–March), then weekly from pink tip until the end of harvest (April–September). Be systematic, and concentrate on the key pests and diseases for the crop stage, variety, season and field history.
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Bud break
Start scouting for mummy berry (Feb–Mar).
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Pink tip → harvest
Scout weekly (Apr–Sep).
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Photograph it
Keep a photo record to help an extension person identify the problem.
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Keep records
Track trends so you can judge whether treatments worked.
Frequently looked up
Common finds in BC fields
Necrotic Ringspot
Tobacco ringspot virus – TRSV
Symptoms vary among cultivars. Leaves may be small, misshapen, crinkled and have small necrotic spots, 2-5 mm in diameter. Young twigs may have small brown necrotic patches. Yield…
IdentifyTomato Ringspot
Tomato ringspot virus – ToRSV
Leaves are cupped and misshapen or elongated and have pale yellow or brown circular spots of 2-5 mm in diameter. Stems may have brown, circular spots of 2-5…
Identify Not in BC
Blueberry Leaf Mottle
Blueberry leaf mottle virus – BLMV
Leaves are mottled and may be malformed or strap-like. The top of bushes die back with weak regrowth occurring only at the crown.
Identify
Not in BC
Blueberry Red Ringspot
Blueberry red ringspot virus – BRRV
Circular red rings or blotches, 4-6 mm in diameter, develop on one-year-old and older stems. Older leaves develop reddish brown circular spots, 3-5 mm in diameter, in mid…
Identify
Not in BC
Blueberry Shoestring
Blueberry shoestring virus – BSSV
New and one-year-old stems show red streaks, 3-20 mm long, more on the side of the stem exposed to the sun. Leaves are elongated and strap-like (shoestring appearance),…
Identify
Not in BC
Blueberry Stunt
Bushes are severely stunted and bushy. Leaves may be spoon-shaped or cupped downward with chlorotic margins and chlorosis between the veins. Chlorotic areas turn bright red in late…
IdentifyIdentified the problem? Get the management plan.
Use this guide together with the BC Ministry of Agriculture’s Berry Production Guide for detailed life cycles, monitoring thresholds and management options.
