| I have found black "worms" in my strawberries and I would like to identify them and then work at eliminating them. They are about 1/4" to 1" long. They are not caterpillars, they look a little like earthworms but black and smaller. They eat into the ripe strawberries and I find them quite disgusting. At first I found them on just a few plants and would just kill them but they seem to have spread to several other plants. I thought they might be some type of larvae. Thank you. |
| It's really difficult to positively identify the pest without seeing it! Could be strawberry fruitworm, lygus bug larvae, or immature root weevils. Without knowing for certain, it's difficult to suggest a control measure. For positive identification, take a few of the pests to your local cooperative extension office. Trained Master Gardeners can key them out and offer several control strategies. Contact OSU Cooperative Extension in Lincoln County at (541) 574-6534. To help control or eliminate disease and insect pests in your strawberry bed be sure to remove and destroy debris at the end of the growing season. |
