How to Protect Raspberries from Leaf Rollers: Tips for Pest Control

Leaf rollers are one of the most dangerous pests for raspberries, especially relevant for large organic plantations. Even a minor infestation at the initial stages can lead to a significant problem by the following season.

This is reported by AgroReview

Rapid Spread of the Pest in Plantations

As noted by Yuriy Honcharuk, head of the agricultural service company “Dibrivka Agrosystems”, if there is a delayed response to the appearance of leaf rollers, the situation can quickly spiral out of control. If the pest appears in a small area and is not eradicated in time, it can spread to a third of the plantation within a year, and in another year, to a larger portion of the crops.

“If you have 30 hectares of raspberries, by the second year it will cover 10 hectares, after another year – already 20 hectares, and then all 30,” he explained.

Characteristics of Appearance and Control Methods

Leaf rollers typically become active early in the spring, especially in cool weather, when the use of biopesticides is less effective. They reproduce quickly and damage the growth point of the plants, resulting in the characteristic curling of the leaves. Organic farmers find themselves in a difficult situation, as the use of systemic chemical agents for protection is prohibited.

“Systemic agents are banned in organic farming; we can only protect ourselves preventively with biopesticides, which work reasonably well against leaf rollers,” noted the agrarian.

For effective protection of raspberries from leaf rollers, experts recommend carefully inspecting the crops and timely applying permitted biological preparations for prevention, as it is much easier to prevent a widespread infestation than to deal with its consequences in the future.