[Diddy Gardener]

Well, no gooseberries at all last year... one minute wee fruit and leaves were there - the next morning everything gone. Someone suggested saw fly. How can I protect against the nasties? 

[ptarmigan]

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=517

Some good advice link above - I've tried nematodes and they worked. Sure I read somewhere that if you scratch up the ground round sawfly infected plants that will expose the grubs and the birds will eat them. Got to be worth a try.

[Headgardener22]

Hoe around the base and it will expose some to the birds, make sure the plant is pruned to allow a good airflow and keep a close watch at dangerous times.

The caterpillars can be squashed you just have to be vigilant and willing.

[gobs]

Were the leaves too gone? Then it is most likely sawfly. Three generations a year, I'm afraid. The last ones' grabs, overwinter in the soil. Turn it.

Pick off caterpillars in spring/nematodes as suggested/contact insecticide spray.

Some moth can cause similar damage, too.