Bramble shoot moth

The Bramble shoot moth (Epiblema uddmanniana) is a member of the Tortricidae family. This moth is a common pest affecting various cane fruits, particularly raspberries and blackberries, within its native range across Europe and parts of Asia.

The larvae are the primary damaging stage. They feed on emerging buds, young leaves, and developing flower clusters. By spinning silk, they pull adjacent leaves and buds together to form a protective webbed nest, which shields them from environmental stressors and many natural predators.

The life cycle typically spans one generation per year. The insect overwinters as a second-instar larva, usually hidden within small silken cocoons tucked inside bark crevices or near the base of buds. As temperatures rise in early spring, the larvae resume activity and move towards the succulent growth.

Damage caused by this pest is significant in commercial fruit production. By boring into buds and shoots, larvae cause stunting, deformity of growth, and destruction of reproductive tissues, which leads to a direct loss of fruit yield and poor plant health throughout the growing season.

Control strategies should focus on integrated pest management (IPM). Cultural practices like pruning and burning infested tips before the larvae emerge in spring are highly effective. If infestations are severe, chemical intervention with selective insecticides should be timed during the pre-blossom stage.

• Regular monitoring of terminal shoots in early spring.
• Pruning and destruction of webbed nests.
• Maintenance of clean orchard hygiene.
• Timed application of biorational or synthetic insecticides.