Bugs on Strawberry Plants

Strawberry Bud Weevils

• Strawberry bud weevils are a brownish-red color and have black spots on their backs. They have rounded snouts that are approximately the same length as their 1/10 inch body. Their long snouts are used to put holes in the young flower buds in search for their pollen food. The adult strawberry bud weevils hop from flower to flower for their feedings. It is necessary to keep a close watch over your plants. If you notice that there is one bud that is cut in the midst of four plants or so, then an insecticide is needed. However, if the strawberries have already bloomed, then it is not worthwhile to use an insecticide.

Tarnished Plant Bugs

• Tarnished plant bugs have wings and are a brownish-gray color. They have an oval shape with a white V-shape on their backs. The adult bugs are around 1/4 inch in length and the younger ones are a green shade without wings. The females lay eggs and the young emerge and eat the flowers. It causes the strawberry seeds to become larger and to become misshapen. In order to combat tarnished plant bugs, the weeds need to be excised around the plant. An insecticide may be necessary, as well.

Spittlebugs

• Spittlebugs can be spotted most easily because they have a transparent bouncy foam on their bodies that enables them to hide. They are around 1/3 to 3/4 inch in length. Spittlebugs puncture the stems and then drink the juice. The damage is caused by prohibiting the growth of the berries and the plant. The spittlebugs can be hand picked off of the plants. Since they are not considered to be as damaging to the plants, insecticides are not needed. It is difficult for an insecticide to penetrate the foam mass on their bodies.

Slugs

• Slugs are considered to be mollusks instead of insects with a snail-like appearance. They have no shell however. They eat during the nighttime or on overcast days during rainier periods. This causes little penetrating holes in the berries. Their presence will be signaled by the silver-colored slime left behind. The best preventative measure is to remove weeds and leaves around the plant. Slugs can be caught by using traps or by placing newspapers around the plants.

Sap Beetles

• Sap or picnic beetles are black with four orange-yellow speckles. They enjoy eating the rotten fruits from strawberry plants. The best avenue for control is to pick the fruits before they have a chance to become ripe. Insecticides are not effective for controlling the sap beetles.