(Refill) Raspberry Beetle Trap and Refill

(Refill) Raspberry Beetle Trap and Refill Description

Byturus tomentosus also known as the Raspberry beetle is a common pest of raspberries but will also cause damage blackberries and loganberries.

The adult beetle is not clearly visible at about 4mm long and dark brown in colour. It stays in the soil during winter, emerging from April to early June.

It feeds on leaves, flower buds and pollen, they will lay up to 120 eggs in individual flowers. On hatching the larvae feed inside the developing fruit and are often found in the raspberries at harvest.

The Raspberry beetle trap allows you to detect early signs of the beetle with its funnel trap designed to catch and kill adult beetles as they emerge from the soil in the spring. The large off-white vanes combined with a floral attractant lure act as a "super raspberry flower" that is irresistible to the beetles and draws them into the trap, permanently removing them from your crop.

Place 1-1.5m above ground 4-6 weeks before the first flowering during April to July. 2 replacement lures required every normal raspberry season (6 weeks)

The trap should be used 4-6 weeks before flowering(April-May). One lure will be suitable to cover this period. However with later flowering hybrid berries e.g. Loganberries, or autumn fruiting raspberries, a second replacement attractant lure is recommended.

Each trap protects 50sqm.

Raspberry Beetle Trap - Includes 1 x trap and 1 x pheromone Lure

Refill - Includes 1 x pheromone lure

Trap and Refill - Includes 1 x trap and 2 x pheromone lure

How it Works: The trap allows you to detect early signs of the beetle. It uses an irresistible floral scented attractant which draws the adult beetle into the bucket of the trap which they cant get out of.

Best time to use the trap: Adults are mainly present between the months of April July. The trap should be in place a few weeks before flower buds appear (usually late March).

Trap Positioning: Hang at a height of approximately 1-1.5m ensuring the trap entrances remain free from leaves and branches to ensure easy capture and to stop the beetles escaping. Traps should be placed at 10m-15m intervals along the rows of fruit crops.

Trap Maintenance: Add water to a depth of 3cm with a small dash of washing up liquid into the bucket of the trap. Check the traps on a regular basis, at least twice a week. Top up the liquid in the bucket to the 3cm depth as and when required. One lure will cover the initial season but for later flowering berries like loganberries, a second lure will be required.

Storage for lures: Store lures in a cool place away from direct sunlight and heat and do not open until ready to use. Always store lures sealed in original packaging and do not open until you need to use. They will last for 1 year when unopened or freezing them will last 2 years.

Instructions for use:

1. Add water to a depth of 3cm with a small dash of washing up liquid into the bucket of the trap.

2. Attach the funnel to the bucket by aligning the slots on the funnel with the tabs on the bucket and twisting to lock together.

3. Attach the vanes on the bucket and lock them by pushing down. Be extremely careful when inserting the vanes because they are delicate.

4. Attach the lid to the vanes by aligning the 4 holes in the lid with the 4 pegs projecting from the top of the vanes. Carefully push the pegs into the holes so that the lid is fully attached.

5. Open one sachet which includes one lure and remove the lure (we recommend using gloves). Leave the lure inside the white sachet, the attractant releases slowly through the semi-permeable membrane of the sachet. Gently fold the lure in half and ease this into the lure chamber. Refasten the cap.

6. Push the lure cage through the hole in the lid from above so that the cage effectively hangs below the lid.

7. Thread the supplied hanging cord through the two tab-holes on the lid and tie at both ends.

8. Hang at a height of approximately 1-1.5m ensuring the trap entrances remain free from leaves and branches to ensure easy capture and to stop the beetles escaping. Traps should be placed at 10m-15m intervals along the rows of fruit crops.

9. Check the traps on a regular basis, at least twice a week. Top up the liquid in the bucket to the 3cm depth as and when required. One lure will cover the initial season but for later flowering berries like loganberries, a second lure will be required.