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Green Caterpillars inside some Blueberry fruit

JAYJARDINJAYJARDIN Posts: 241
in Problem solving

Hi There

Some of my Blueberries looked a bit squishy and when I pressed them to break the skin a green caterpillar crawled out- about 12mm long and appx 2.5mm diameter, they move really really quickly, almost galloping when they exit the fruit. Does anyone know what these are and how to stop the same thing happening next year? I also noticed some white sticky web-like substance on some of the leaves. Only some of the fruit was affected.

Many thanks


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Posts

  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,578
    @jayjardin Bumping up your thread in case you haven't found an answer elsewhere and someone here can help you.
  • JAYJARDINJAYJARDIN Posts: 241
    Thank you so much. Not one reply!
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,216
    I spent some time looking up pests of Blueberries and came up blank. Are you in the UK?
  • JAYJARDINJAYJARDIN Posts: 241
    Hi Berghill. Yes I’m in the UK north London. I also spent a lot of time looking up blueberry pests but like you foumd nothing similar. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,135
    No idea I’m afraid. This is our first year growing blueberries so I’m keeping an eye on this thread  ...

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JAYJARDINJAYJARDIN Posts: 241
    Hi Dovefromabove
    My first year too! Blueberry Duke did not have any problems. Bluecrop got some silvery weblike threads and the blueberries in those areas looked a bit shrivelled and thats where I found the caterpillars. Lively writhing chaps they were and moved very fast once I had split the berry. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,135
    No problems with ours so far and they seem to be cropping well for young plants. They’re also putting on a lot of new growth. Fortunately the rainwater in the butts lasted just long enough  :) 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JAYJARDINJAYJARDIN Posts: 241
    Ours also cropped well and are putting on new growth. Only some of the fruit was effected my new green enemies!
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,216
    edited August 2018
    Have tried contacting the original seller for information?
    This makes interesting reading, but it is from the U.S.

  • BLTBLT Posts: 525
    I grew Blueberries too and had my first crop this year. I am partially sighted!! So I really hope there are no caterpillars in mine lol.. I only have one bush and did cover my bush with net to keep the birds off. So maybe it also kept off the Butterfly or Moth that has green caterpillars too. I only got 175 gms total and they are in my freezer.. To make Jam later.I make Grape & Blueberry.. out of this world ..

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