What pests attack strawberry?

Chafer grubs, Strawberry blossom weevil, Two-spotted spider mite, Vine weevil, Whitefly

What diseases affect strawberry?

Fusarium wilt, Grey mould, White mould (Sclerotinia), Anthracnose, Strawberry leaf spot, Verticillium wilt

Strawberry pests and diseases: how to recognise them

Q: Which strawberry problems need quick action?

Fusarium wilt: A cut stem shows brown or reddish-brown water-conducting tissue — lines lengthways, dots or a ring in cross-section. Grey mould: On strawberries, grapes and other soft fruit a soft brown rot, often as the fruit ripens; on gooseberries whole branches die. White mould (Sclerotinia): Later, hard black seed-like bodies (sclerotia) 0.5–1 cm across in the mould and inside hollow stems.

Fragaria ananassa

The pests, diseases and disorders recorded for strawberry in our library, each with a photo and its first symptom. Every page has the full list of symptoms, organic and chemical treatment and prevention.

At a glance

Problems in total	12
Pests	5
Diseases	6
Nutrient deficiencies	1
Need quick action	3

How to grow strawberry · All pests and diseases

Pests

Chafer grubsPotatoes, beetroot and other root crops have large, shallow, round holes.Photo: Сарапулов, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Strawberry blossom weevilFlower buds hang on a partly severed stalk, wither and drop without opening; the female lays an egg in the bud and then gnaws the stalk.Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Two-spotted spider miteFine silk webbing over leaves and shoot tips in heavy attacks.Also called: red spider mitePhoto: Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Vine weevilGrubs also bore into cyclamen and begonia tubers and into the stem bases of cacti and succulents.Also called: black vine weevilPhoto: Opuntia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
WhiteflySticky honeydew on leaves, stems and fruit, followed by black sooty mould.Photo: gaucho, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Diseases

Nutrient deficiencies

Boron deficiencyDiscoloured flesh or rotting hearts in beetroot, turnips, swedes and celeriac; beetroot may also have rough, cankered patches.Photo: Jan Hinrichs-Berger, LTZ Augustenberg, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Which strawberry problems need quick action?

These spread or do lasting harm fast; check the plants and start treatment the day you see them.

Fusarium wilt: White, pink or orange fungal growth may appear on dead stems in wet weather; the whole plant usually dies.
Grey mould: Small black seed-like bodies may form on the infected material.
White mould (Sclerotinia): Roots, heads, pods and fruit can rot too, also in storage.

Plants with many of the same problems

Which plants each problem affects: sources

The links between these problems and the plant were checked against these pages.