[barney rubble]

I've had a productive morning's bug rub, disposing of three gooseberry sawflies before they did too much damage, plus found some tiny orange grubs 3/4 mm in length on the underside of red currant leaves. Any ideas what this might be - its too small to get a photo of.

Also found a weevil but can't ID it, will post a pici. Its approx 1.5 cm long, is a dull brown /black colour and has lighter coloured brown spots on its back. Could only take a silhouette of it on the underside of the goodeberry leaf. A rather lovely shiney bronze coloured open cocoon was on a lower leaf, so don't know if it came from that. Thanks

[barney rubble]

weevil

[vineweevil1]

ooh second one looks like a vineweevil.
They lay c shaped bugs in the soil and these eat the roots and the adults nibble the leaves.  It is the bugs that will kill the plant.  When I have had bad infestations in the garden I have resorted to nematodes, but it isn't cheap - it did nearly wipe them all out though.  MUST tread on any you see (or behead with scissors - your preference!)

[barney rubble]

Thank you - been reading up on them whilst waiting for anybody to confirm my worst suspicions...and he got swished immediately!

He's the only one I've come across so far - do you know if he travels either alone or in packs please?

Excuse my ignorance, but I'm presuming nematodes is a bug killer and readily available from garden centres etc?

Thanks

[Yorkie]

Certainly looks like an adult vine weevil to me 

They are said to do less damage in the open soil than in pots, but it's up to you to balance the risk against the cost.

Nematodes are tiny parasites that you water onto soil.  They basically kill their target prey (but as it's teatime I'll spare the gory details).  In the case of vine weevils the nematodes attack the larvae, which do the most damage as VW1 said.

[barney rubble]

Thanks Yorkie - as I'm in pots, think its best to treat the lot

[AnnieB]

You can get a vine weevil killer, Pravado I think, it is for pots.
You have to mix and then water the pot until it comes out the base.
Not sure of the price but probably easier to get hold of the nematoads.

[barney rubble]

Thanks AnnieB - will look out for it.

[Yorkie]

Yep, Provado is a well-known make, should be able to get it fairly widely.

The compost in my pots has a tendency to dry out, meaning water goes down the sides a little too easily.  Might be worth making sure that your pots aren't too dry before you water on the nematodes - or they'll be wasted down the sides