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Blueberry Maggot
The blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax Curran, is a regulated pest in Canada. The
federal Plant Protection Act and Regulations restrict the movement of blueberry plants, fresh fruit, soil and containers from areas known to be infested with blueberry maggot. These areas include the coastal states of eastern United States, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and parts of Quebec and Ontario. The British Columbia Blueberry Maggot Control Regulation prevents the movement of fresh blueberries from the infested areas unless they have been fumigated with methyl bromide or produced by approved growers under the Blueberry Certification Program.
Appearance
The adult is a small, black fly, about 5 mm long, with a white spot on the
thorax and wings marked wiith diagonal black bands. The larvae or maggots develop inside the berries. They are white and reach 8 mm in length.
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Blueberry Maggot Adult
Photo courtesy Canadian Food Inspection Agency |
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Blueberry Maggot Larva
Photo courtesy Canadian Food Inspection Agency |
Impacts of Blueberry Maggot
The blueberry maggot is usually the most serious pest of blueberry production where it occurs. Infested berries become soft, mushy and unmarketable. Without insecticidal sprays, nearly all berries in a field may be infested. Infested berries cannot be used for processing as the maggots are readily visible in the preserves.
Further Information:
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