Gooseberry leaves stripped bare

[WendyS]

I've now picked the fruit from my gooseberry bushes but the leaves have been stripped bare by caterpillars. A few new leaves are starting to appear but the plants look really dreadful. Will it damage them if I prune them now, rather than waiting until the autumn when all the leaves would have died off naturally?

[$~Jeep~$]

Hi Wendy,

Probably gooseberry sawflies have done this. Book advice says to pick of any remaining caterpillars and eggs and spray with appropriate bug killer.

Hopefully someone else out there who has had this problem might advise other suitable solution if different from mine.

Sorry if this sounds negative

Jeep xXx

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Wendy S,
As usual I think Jeep's come up trumps with a good answer, and I have to agree that gooseberry sawfly caterpillars are the most likey susspects, although it could also be the work of the Magpie moth caterpillars also. Whatever the case may be the treatment is the same - spraying with permethrin fenitrothion or derris (derris should be used only if the goosegogs are almost ready for picking)
I think pruning now will only weaken the plants ferther and waiting til the autumn (dormancy) would be preferable.
Good Luck Tbird+