Pests
Strawberry blossom weevil
Identify Strawberry blossom weevil: symptoms, possible causes, prevention, and practical actions for 2 affected plants. Bent flower stems
Editorial diagnosis
Diagnosis overview
Strawberry blossom weevil lays eggs in flower buds and cuts the flower stalk.
In gardens, Strawberry blossom weevil can occur on plants including Strawberry, Wild Strawberry. In the available profiles, it is linked mainly with Berries, Fruit.
Its importance depends on how quickly it spreads and whether seedlings, shoot tips, flowers, or fruit are affected. Remove bent buds and monitor plants during flowering.
Inspect leaf undersides, shoot tips, and the soil around the plant at different times of day. Eggs, larvae, droppings, webbing, or slime trails are often more diagnostic than one damaged leaf.
A common mistake is to treat feeding damage without checking the animal, eggs, larvae, time of activity, and affected plant parts.
At a glance
Plants
2
Category
Berries, Fruit
Typical signs
- Bent flower stalks
- Drying buds
- No fruit from affected flowers
Possible confusion
- Similar feeding damage: Always check for insects, droppings, slime, mines, holes, or residues. The damage pattern alone is often not enough.
Immediate actions
- Inspect affected parts and remove where useful
- Stabilise the plant and reduce stress
- Keep monitoring the planting
Prevention
- Encourage vigorous plants
- Monitor regularly
- Support beneficials and diversity
- Adapt care to weather and site
Affected plants
Guides
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