Blackberry bugs

shegirl

katy721 wrote: »

I picked a huge bag full of blackberries from the hedgerows today.
Left them in a bowl in the kitchen this afternoon and a couple of hours later noticed lots of little maggots on them. Tiny ones.

Any ideas how to get rid?

Sure they aren't actually caterpillars?

Mojisola

shegirl wrote: »

Sure they aren't actually caterpillars?

Probably Raspberry Beetle grubs -

http://wildlifepilgrim.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/following-blackberry-grubs.html

Valli

That's what I've seen, Mojisola!

lol - when I was a kid I regularly ate blackberries straight from the bush - I only found out about the grubs when I was older - and even then I have only soaked in water.

I pick them now to make bramble jelly - I scoop them out (dead) as I cook the fruit;)

You get them in sloes too. But the gin does for them - I strain through a muslin anyway;)

shegirl

Mojisola wrote: »

Probably Raspberry Beetle grubs -

http://wildlifepilgrim.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/following-blackberry-grubs.html

Yum yum LOL

I've had them (didn't know what they were,aside from now maggots-now that would put me off!) and caterpillars.Used to pick them off with a cocktail stick after a short soak

Wellyboots6

I picked another batch today as I threw the first lot away (gutted!).

The new batch has them on too, so I am soaking in salt water but it doesnt seem to be doing much

shegirl

katy721 wrote: »

I picked another batch today as I threw the first lot away (gutted!).

The new batch has them on too, so I am soaking in salt water but it doesnt seem to be doing much

They'll float out.You can always pick them off too.

You'll find many blackberries have them,don't worry

Nocturnes

sKiTz-0 wrote: »

Where in the country are you? I'm in Greater Manchester and was wondering if the coming bank holiday weekend would be around the right time to go out foraging for blackberries? It's worth a look I suppose, even if there aren't any the fresh air and exercise will be good.

SW of London. You'll have to go and look! Bumper crop here, but I am blackberried out, no more jars and pleas of "Not blackberries Again" already.

Happy picking.

Mojisola

katy721 wrote: »

I picked another batch today as I threw the first lot away (gutted!).

The new batch has them on too, so I am soaking in salt water but it doesnt seem to be doing much

The larva don't taste of anything! If you can't see them and won't taste them, don't worry about them.

There's no need to throw good fruit away. If you can't face eating them, leave them outside for the birds.

dandy-candy

Eww wish I hadn't read this. I was eating blackberries straight off the brambles yesterday, and them made syrup with the rest after giving them a quick rinse.

sammy_kaye18

Thank you for writing this thread - I was just looking at the balckberries on the vines and thought I might go out and see about picking some but wasnt sure if it was too early or not.

Be a nice afternoon activity me thinks

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