Insect pests of blueberry

Blueberry spanworm (Itame argillacearia Packard) and blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax Curran) are significant pests in many blueberry fields, often requiring insecticide applications to maintain populations below economically damaging levels. Spanworm caterpillars are found in late spring and feed on leaves, flower buds, blossoms, or emerging vegetative shoots.

Occasionally, blueberry bud mite, blueberry flea beetle, blueberry spanworm, cranberry fruitworm, flower beetle, Japanese beetle, and scale pests can be found on blueberries. Fields should be monitored at least weekly for damage by blueberry pest insects.

The control of crop pests (weeds, insects and diseases) begins with identifying harmful organisms and understanding their biology. This makes it possible to apply preventive measures and take further action when it will be most effective. Pesticides only be used when the population of a harmful organism exceeds the threshold beyond which there would be significant economic loss.
Insect pests of blueberry