Blueberry Pests – Page 2 – Blueberry Field Guide

Blueberry Gall Midge

(Dasineura oxycoccana)
Damage: The top 5-10 mm of new shoot tips turn black and shrivel. This can result in excessive branching of new growth.
Insect: The adult is a small fly which lays its eggs on new shoot tips. Larvae emerge and can be found clustered inside the tips. They are 1-2 mm in length, clear, white or orange maggots with no legs or markings. Damage occurs from June through September. Larvae feed on new growth by piercing plant tissue, resulting in distortion, blackening, and death of new tips. Midge overwinters as pupae in the soil. There can be up to 4 overlapping generations during the growing season.

Midge DamageCarolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult

Midge DamageCarolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult

Madge DamageCarolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult

Midge DamageCarolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult

Midge LarveCarolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult

Aphids

(Ericaphis fimbriata)
Damage: Several species of aphids colonize blueberry bushes. However, this is the most important species. Aphids spread Blueberry scorch virus, but rarely cause direct crop damage. Aphids secrete sticky honeydew which can accumulate on leaves and fruit. Black sooty mould can develop on the honeydew.
Insect: Nymphs and wingless adults are small, 1-2 mm long, yellow, green, orange, or pink. Winged aphids are usually black and 2-3 mm long. Aphids are found on the underside of leaves and on new shoot tips, from March to September. The first generation of winged aphids emerges in early May. Aphid populations are highest in June and July. They overwinter as eggs on blueberry plants.

Aphid Colony Carolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult

Aphid Colony Adult Carolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult

Aphid Nymphs And Winged AdultsCarolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult

Wingless Adult Giving Birth To Live Young Carolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult

Mummified Aphids Carolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult

Aphid And Gall Midge Damage In Blueberry Carolyn Teasdale, ES Cropconsult