Gooseberry sawfly control

[marshlander]

My goosegogs were stripped by these caterpillars last year. Picked off lots but must have left enough to reproduce and never got on top of the problem

Anyone know how to find the eggs before they hatch or has anyone used nematodes?

[pelmetman]

Love gooseberries and get plagued by these every year. Never used nematodes as yet. I too use weak solution washing up liquid and water. Find the best way is to continually pick them off by hand but it needs doing at least twice a day to get rid of them. Sorry can't help you with what they actually look like before they hatch, they just seem to appear over night and can strip a bush in less than a day.

[bonniethomas06]

What time of year is this a problem? I have just planted two goosegog bushes and will be mighty cross if they get got!

Hopefully though, with such a long cold winter, any little blighters or their eggs trying to overwinter will have been killed off!

[JillStephens7]

Thanks for raising this. Leaves are just starting to come out on our bush so I'll be on patrol.

Will be first year it's stood a chance as it was trying to grow through a holly bush when we moved here.

[grahamhobbs]

The eggs are laid along the ribs of the leaves, from around late April onwards. At first there is a very small larva which makes tiny holes in the leaves, look out for these! Then it turns in to a small catipillar which strips the leaves.
Eggs can be laid throughout the summer from late April onwards, so check your bushes regularly and try to catch them in the larva stage when only the small holes are made.

[thesunflowergal]

Thanks everyone one of our bushes got hit, but not the other. They will make a tasty treat for the chooks this year

[grahamhobbs]

I seem to remember a spray made of boiled laurel leaves will kill the larva

[becks77]

Only put in my first goosegog last year and didn't do any fruiting but, my neighbour on the lotties simply threw a net curtain over his and they did really well, could this be an answer?

[marshlander]

Only put in my first goosegog last year and didn't do any fruiting but, my neighbour on the lotties simply threw a net curtain over his and they did really well, could this be an answer?

Hmm, maybe the curtain was to keep the birds off - if these creatures overwinter in the soil I cant see it stopping them. Looks like I'll have to be much more vigilant! Thanks for all the info - just popping out to check the leaves for eggs!

[becks77]

"if these creatures overwinter in the soil I cant see it stopping them. "
Mmm good point hadn't really appreciated that, so spraying with something seems to be the way forward, will give it a try
Thank you

[bonniethomas06]

Right! Thanks I am going straight home after work to check! you have got me worried. I am just imagining them decimating my plant while I am sitting at my desk!

[dianafaery]

Found a whole bunch eating mine , loads of ecky eating things .

How exacltly does one dispose of the ecky things

[Millymollymandy]

'Fraid you have to use your fingers and squidge them. You can wear gloves if you like.