Diagnosing Pests (Integrated Pest Management)

> Always follow your state’s regulations and the label. Start with prevention and least-toxic options.

Cross-crop pests (common)

• Aphids: Sticky honeydew, curled new growth; manage with strong water spray, lady beetles, insecticidal soap.
• Spider mites (hot, dry weather): Stippling on leaves, fine webbing; increase humidity, wash foliage, use miticidal soap or horticultural oil.
• Scale/Mealybugs (containers, passionfruit): Bumps or cottony masses on stems; prune heavily infested parts; horticultural oil; repeat at 7–10 d.

Blackberries/Raspberries

• Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD): Larvae in soft fruit late season; pick frequently, chill quickly, use fine mesh netting pre-blush; maintain sanitation (remove overripe fruit).
• Raspberry cane borer: Flagging shoot tips with girdles; prune out 6–8 in below injury.
• Japanese beetle: Skeletonized leaves; hand-pick into soapy water mornings; row covers where practical.

Mulberry

• Generally low pest pressure; watch for whiteflies and scale in sheltered sites; treat with soap or oil.

Passionfruit

• Scale & mealybugs: Common in containers; oil/soap, repeat.
• Caterpillars: Hand-pick; Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) works when larvae are small.

Pomegranate

• Leaf-footed bugs / stink bugs: Piercing injury leads to off-flavored arils; hand-remove, trap crops, perimeter treatment if severe.
• Aphids: Distorted shoots; wash off and use soap if needed.