What kind of bedbugs are found on raspberries? - briefly
Raspberries are not colonized by true bedbugs (Cimex spp.); the insects commonly encountered are fruit flies (Drosophila spp.) and raspberry beetles (Byturus tomentosus).
What kind of bedbugs are found on raspberries? - in detail
Raspberry crops can host several true‑bug species that are often mistakenly referred to as “bedbugs.” The most frequently encountered are members of the Hemiptera order, each with distinct morphology and damage patterns.
The principal hemipteran pests include:
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Stink bugs (family Pentatomidae, e.g., Lygus lineolaris). Adults are shield‑shaped, 5–7 mm long, with mottled green‑brown coloration. They insert their stylet into developing berries, causing internal discoloration, shriveling, and premature drop. Nymphs feed similarly, producing surface lesions that facilitate fungal infection.
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Aphids (family Aphididae). Small, soft‑bodied insects forming dense colonies on young shoots and leaf undersides. Their sap extraction leads to leaf curling, yellowing, and the excretion of honeydew, which promotes sooty mold growth on fruit surfaces.
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Leafhoppers (family Cicadellidae). Slender, wedge‑shaped insects, 3–5 mm in length, that feed on phloem tissue. Feeding wounds appear as pale stippling on leaves and can transmit plant viruses, indirectly reducing berry quality.
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Raspberry cane borer (Oberea sp., family Cerambycidae). Although a beetle, its larvae are considered true‑bug analogues because of their boring habits. Larvae tunnel within cane interiors, weakening structural integrity and creating entry points for secondary pathogens.
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Raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus, family Byturidae). Adult beetles are 6–8 mm, covered in fine hairs. They chew holes in berries, leaving visible feeding scars and facilitating rot.
Identification relies on visual examination of size, body shape, and feeding signs. Management strategies typically involve monitoring adult populations with sticky traps, applying targeted insecticides during vulnerable growth stages, and employing cultural controls such as cane pruning to remove overwintering sites. Biological agents—parasitic wasps for aphids and predatory insects for leafhoppers—provide supplemental suppression without chemical residues.