Strawberry Blossom Weevil
Strawberry Blossom Weevil
anthonomus rubi
The strawberry blossom weevil is a small (2.5-3.0 mm) black invasive pest native to Europe. While primarily affecting berry crops, it also targets roses (Rosa spp.) and damages flowering buds while feeding on pollen/nectar from multiple plant species including:
- Crepis tectorum
- Ranunculus acris
- Senecio inaequidens
- Taraxacum spp.
- Verbascum blattaria
- Leucanthemum vulgare
- Tanacetum vulgare
- Astilbe sp.
Strawberry blossom weevil is a federally regulated pest and nursery growers within the regulated area must take special precautions during production and prior to shipping their plants to ensure that the weevil does not spread. Screening is expensive and the only solution so far as pesticide products are not currently available.
Since this pest thrives as well on wild blackberry, eradication of this pest in BC is not achievable.
