[Chas62]

Slowly my gooseberry bush has been totally stripped of all its leaves by green caterpillars.  I have squashed a lot but to no avail.  Can anyone tell me if the bush will die, or will it grow new leaves? 

Secondly, any suggestions on good sprays to use to prevent it happening again (organic if possible), 

Thanks.

[fatcat1955]

Sound's like the gooseberry sawfly strikes again. Give it a spray of provado ultimate bug killer and don't forget to have a look on the soil around the plant because that's where they hide.

[Auntiemogs]

I agree with Fatcat.  They do one for fruit and veg and it was very effective on my little munchers...

[Mrs Bee]

I didn't see the little blighter that got mine. They sneakdid up on me.

But I gave the bushes a spray with Provado too.

Just glad I got the goosies before the sawfly struck.

[savbo]

It might be too late to stop a lot getting into the soil to pupate but you could put fabric down around the bush.

Or - try to prune a clear foot from the ground so birds can get to the soil and eat the pupae. And prune out the middle of the bush to lower humidity

[Chas62]

Thanks for the tips on Provado.

Does the leaves being stripped mean that the plant will die, or will it grow again in the Spring?

[Mrs Bee]

My new bushes were attacked badly, but once sprayed they have regrown the leaves.

[Chas62]

Thanks for all the replies.  Pleased to know that all is not lost and it should grow back.  I will be more vigilant next year!