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The blueberry maggot was first detected in Maine and New
Hampshire in 1914. Since its first detection it has become a important pest of
commercially grown low bush and high bush blueberries in the Canadian Maritime
Provinces. Although common to most of the blueberry areas in the Maritimes it
does not occur in Newfoundland. The concern over this insect is not due to the
crop losses caused by larval feeding, but to the unmarketability of the maggot
infested fruit.
The primary host of the blueberry maggot is blueberry, both high bush
(Vaccinium corybosum) and low bush (V. angustifolium,
V. myrtilloides
and V.
vacillans). Other suitable hosts include Hillside blueberry
(V. pallidum),
Deerberry (V.
stamineum) and Huckleberry (Gaylussacia spp).
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