Rapberry Ringspot Virus and Gooseberry Sawfly, not to mention the ants...

Hi all

Thought I would kill three birds with one topic!

Ringspot - After a season of loose berries and now discolouring leaves it seems my raspberry canes have the ringspot virus (after reading a magazine article).  The article suggested binning canes and starting again, but I was hoping for a less drastic alternative.  Has anybody got any suggestions?

Sawfly - Got hit by this earlier in the year, though it didn't affect this year's production as the berries were already formed.  I have read that the larvae go into the soil after stripping the leaves, and that next year's harvest amy well be affected - again, is there anything i can do to remedy the situation?

While I am at it (al the fruits are in my only bed!), practically all my blackcurrants were snaffled by an army of nearby ants (though they left the other fruits alone! ) - would putting ant powder on the bed be a sactisfactory solution?  I am a bit concerned about putting that type of chemical near an edible (ooo almost got a rhyme there too)

anyway - as always, any advice gratefully received!

cheers

http://plant-disease.ippc.orst.edu/disease.cfm?RecordID=953
Here's the info on raspberry ringspot, not good reading i'm afraid

you may well be right - but I know I had lots of blackcurrants developing on the bush, but then I looked and it was swarming with ants - when I looked a little later, there were only a few currants left - maybe "2+2=543" in this case...  :blink:

not sure about the greenfly/aphids - note to self, must look closer!

really disappointed with the suspected ringspot - it really does sound serious, will have to try and examine closely tonight - or maybe even take a piccy... see if someone can positive ID it...

heh - I have strawberries too - the only fruit not affected it seems!!

here are the photos I took of the Raspberry and Blackcurrant - I would be interested to see if people agree with my diagnosis or whether it could be something else...

I included the blackcurrant as I notice some of the leaves seem to be having problems too!  

I may be completely wrong but....... as Autumns well on its way might a lot of the leaf discolouration be due to the fact that they are gradually shutting down for winter?  :blink:

My raspberries were not up to scratch this year.... my fault I think.  They needed water and didn't get it as I was busy so better luck next year - I hope.

To tell you the truth I can't remember. Berries dropping off may well have been a sign saying "you're flipping late getting here to pick me so I've given up!" They tend to drop off on their own if you don't pick the tings in time.