Cultural control techniques can also be used in managing mites. This includes keeping plants healthy so they can tolerate larger populations with less damage. Mowing or removing weeds helps minimise infestation by eliminating alternative hosts for the mites. Treating infested runners may prevent early infestation of the crop. Caterpillars Various caterpillars attack strawberries over the growing season and cause the most damage when they feed on flowers and fruit.
Damage appears as holes in leaves, buds and fruit.
Female moths lay up to 1000 eggs each, either singly or as egg masses on leaves. Eggs hatch in two to seven days. After hatching, caterpillars grow from 5 mm to 40 mm in two to three weeks. Once fully grown, they pupate in the soil or roll the leaf and spin a cocoon. The pupa then develops into the adult.