Integrated Pest Management Guide

CRANBERRY TIPWORM, Dasineura oxycoccana (Johnson)

Pest Status: This pest was found in cranberry in British Columbia for the first time in 1998. It is an increasing problem.

Life cycle and feeding habits: Tiny larvae develop through three instars: first clear, then light green, then orange. Larvae have no visible head and are no more than 2 mm (1/16 inch) long when mature. Orange third-instar larvae metamorphose into puparia, which are pink to tan or brown. Puparia enclosed in silk remain in the damaged tip on the vine or fall to the trash layer. Adults emerge soon after, then mate and lay eggs (35 - 45 per female) at the base of small leaves on the plant tip. The adult is a very small fly similar to a midge less than 2 mm (1/16 inch) long.

Tipworms have at least two generations in the Pacific Northwest. Puparia of the last generation spend the winter on the floor of the bed. Larvae use rasping mouthparts for extracting the juices from plant tips resulting in browning (or whitening) of the two uppermost leaves.

Monitoring and Control: Refer to the section "KEY PESTS: DORMANT TO PRE-BLOOM" for more information.
 
 

Cranberry tipworm larva (photo courtesy of J.-F. Landry)	Cranberry tipworm puparia in cocoons

• Top of page
• Return to IPM Guide Index Page
• Return to BCCGA Home Page

©2000 Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada