Currant, Gooseberry: Imported currantworm

Biology

The imported currantworm is the larva of a sawfly. The adult sawfly is black and yellow and is about 1⁄3″ in length. The female lays eggs on the underside of leaves, near the midrib. The larvae feed along leaf margins, sometimes causing severe defoliation. The larvae are whitish at first, but become greenish with distinctive black spots and heads as they reach maturity. Mature larvae are about 1⁄2″ long. They pupate in the soil beneath the host plants. A second generation may occur, appearing around June or July. Larvae overwinter in cocoons in the soil. Adults typically emerge in early spring.

Management Options

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Non-chemical Management

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

• Hand-pick and kill larvae when noticed.
• Floating row cover may be useful.

Chemical Management

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

Monitor plants in April for small holes in the center of leaves from larval feeding. Do not make an application if there is no evidence of larvae or damage.

Approved Pesticides

Listed below are examples of pesticides that are legal in Washington. Always read and follow all label directions.

• Bonide Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew R-T-U [Organic]
  Active ingredient: spinosad (spinosyn A+D) [EPA registration number: 4-472]
• Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap Concentrate II [Organic]
  Active ingredient: potassium salts of fatty acid [EPA registration number: 42697-60]
• This list may not include all products registered for this use.

Additional Image