Abstract

In May 1991 the stems of expanding fruiting laterals of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) in plantations in Tayside, eastern Scotland were extensively chewed by adults of Cantharis obscura. This appeared to be the 1st record of damage to plants by cantharids in the UK. In choice tests, the adults damaged excised fruiting laterals of both cultivated black raspberry (R. occidentalis) cv. Cumberland, and red raspberry cv. Glen Prosen, but did little damage to other closely related Rubus species and hybrids, including wild bramble (blackberry, R. fruticosus) and wild red raspberry (R. idaeus subsp. vulgatus).