Raspberry: Aphids

categories: Raspberry Raspberry Insects Small Fruits

last review date: 2025-12-03 10:06

Biology

Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects. They vary in color from yellow to green to brownish. Aphids on raspberries are typically found in colonies on the young growing tips of canes or on the underside of leaves.

Feeding aphids can produce large amounts of honeydew, a sweet, sticky material which may attract honeydew-feeding ants or become covered with a dark growth of sooty mold. Honeydew and sooty mold can reduce the quality of fruit.

Raspberry aphids can also transmit the raspberry mosaic virus, but spread of the virus is relatively slow. Aphids are not usually a serious problem on raspberries.

Management Options

See "Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Landscape" for successful problem management techniques.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Plant certified, virus-free stock.
• Encourage natural enemies including ladybird beetles, lacewings, syrphid (hover) fly larvae, and parasitic wasps. Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which kill beneficial insects.
• Control honeydew-feeding ants, which may protect aphid colonies from predators.
• Provide proper nutrition. High levels of nitrogen in the foliage encourage aphid reproduction. Switch to a slow-release or low-nitrogen fertilizer when practical.

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides.

• Thorough coverage of the foliage is important, including lower leaf surfaces.
• Apply when aphids are beginning to build up.

Approved Pesticides

Examples of pesticides that are legal for home use in Washington State are listed below.
The list may not include all products registered for this use.

• All Seasons Horticultural and Dormant Spray Oil Concentrate [Organic]
  Active ingredient: mineral oil (EPA reg. 4-80)
• Bug Buster-O [Organic]
  Active ingredient: pyrethrins (EPA reg. 1021-1771-54705)
• Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap Concentrate II [Organic]
  Active ingredient: potassium salts of fatty acid (EPA reg. 42697-60)