Description: Small Insects found on new stems and the underside of the leaf. Usually green. They suck fluids from the plant leaving a honey dew substance behind. Leaves turn pale yellow.
Control: Insecticidal soaps or a strong stream of water. Ladybug beetles are natural predators.
* Pesticide use and recommendations for various areas are constantly changing. Check with your County agent for current recommendations.
Problem: Leafhoppers Affected Area: Leaf and Fruit
Description: Green or brown insects less than 1/4" long, often found on the stems or undersides of leaves, where they feed by piercing the surface of the plant and sucking plant juices. The young resemble the adults but are smallare and without wings. Feeding causes little damage, but they make a slit in the stem to lay eggs and that may cause some damage.
They may also carry blueberry mycoplasma that threatens production.
Control: Remove diseased plants to protect healthy ones.
Problem: Blueberry Maggot Affected Area: Root and Stem
Description: The chief pest of blueberries. Adults are small flies about 3/16 inch long) with dark patterns across their wings. They lay eggs in the fruit which hatch out into small white larvae that feed inside the fruit.
In the fall, when infested fruit drops, the maggot enters the soil to pupate and overwinter. The cycle begins again the next year.
Control: Clean up and dispose of infested fruit.
* Pesticide use and recommendations for various areas are constantly changing. Check with your County agent for current recommendations.
Problem: Fungal diseases Affected Area: Leaf and Fruit
Description: The diseases that affect blueberries are primarily fungal diseases brought on by high humidity or overwatering. In dry climates they are less common.
Container Gardens