Gooseberry Bush Bugs

Aphids

• Aphids suck the juice from the leaves and stems of the gooseberry bush. A byproduct of aphid feeding, honeydew attracts ants, as well as sooty mold spores. With large aphid infestations, the leaves turn yellow and curl, and the sooty mold interferes with photosynthesis. Insecticidal soap sprayed to cover the leaves can help control or stop an aphid infestation. Mix 2 1/2 to 5 tablespoons of insecticidal soap in 1 gallon of water and put it in a sprayer. Don't use insecticidal soap when temperatures are above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Apply early in the morning as the cooler, damper conditions mean the soap will dry out more slowly. Insecticidal soap is effective only when wet. Instead of using insecticidal soap, you can introduce natural aphid predators, such as ladybugs.

Borer Moths

• Also known as clear-winged borer moths, borer moths lay their eggs on gooseberry bush stems in spring. Short-lived, adult borer moths live for only one week. The mature moths have long, tubular bodies, making them look like stingerless wasps. As the eggs hatch, the larvae eat the stems of the gooseberry bush, boring holes into the woody material. A large borer moth larvae infestation will lead to dead branches and disfiguration on the outside of the stems. Keep your gooseberry plants healthy because weak or dying bushes are the primary target of borer moths. Clear away debris and dying branches as they appear, and kill the moths individually when you see them. This is generally the best way of containing and remedying a borer moth infestation.

European Grapevine Moth

• A pale tan color in the larval stage, brown European grapevine moths can quickly destroy a gooseberry bush if you don't deal with the problem quickly. During the first stage of an infestation, in late spring and early summer, the larvae will feast on the gooseberry blossoms, while the second stage of the infestation, the second generation of larvae attack the fruit in midsummer, leaving behind hollow skins and seeds. A third generation of European grapevine moth larvae will attack the inside of the fruit in late summer and early fall, but this next generation will produce a webbing that puts the plant at risk of a fungal infection. Introducing fungicides such as Bacillius thuringiensis can help control the moths in the caterpillar stage. Mix a 1/2 to 4 teaspoon of Bt with 1 gallon of water and spray the gooseberry bush thoroughly in the late afternoon. Do not spray if there is a risk of rain in the next 24 hours. Reapply every 10 days, if needed.

Mites

• Spider mites grow to no more than a 1/20 inch long, and produce tiny webs. Spider mites suck the sap from the foliage of the gooseberry bush, causing the leaves to yellow and die. Small spider mite infestations will generally cause no long-term damage to the hardy bush, but if you are concerned about it, keep the gooseberry bush area moist and dust-free. Natural sprays, such as garlic spray, can be effective in preventing an infestation from taking hold. Spray both the tops and undersides of the leaves with a garlic spray, where you crush two to four cloves of garlic and mix with 2 quarts of water, 1 teaspoon of dish soap and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Stir and then strain the mixture and transfer to a spray bottle.