Insect
Sawfly
Wasp-like insects whose caterpillar-like larvae strip gooseberry, currant, and other woody plant foliage, sometimes defoliating entire plants within days.
Symptoms to Look For
- Leaves stripped from the inside of bushes outward, starting from low on the plant
- Pale green larvae with black spots clustered on leaf undersides
- Complete defoliation of susceptible plants in severe infestations
Affected Plants
GooseberryCurrantApplePlumRose
Organic Solutions
Hand-picking
Inspect the inner branches of gooseberry and currant bushes weekly from April and remove larvae by hand before populations build up.
Insecticidal soap spray
Spray insecticidal soap solution onto larvae on leaf undersides as soon as colonies are spotted, before they disperse through the plant.
Prevention
- Check the inside of bushes carefully at least weekly from April as larvae start very small and damage escalates rapidly
- Cultivate soil under plants in autumn to expose overwintering pupae
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.