Blueberry maggot – Rhagoletis mendax

The blueberry maggot was first detected in Maine and New Hampshire in 1914. Since its first detection it has become an important pest of commercially grown low bush and high bush blueberries in the Canadian Maritime Provinces.

The primary host of the blueberry maggot is blueberry, both high bush (Vaccinium corymbosum) and low bush (V. angustifolium and V. myrtilloides). Other suitable hosts include pale blueberry (V. pallidum), deerberry (V. stamineum) and huckleberry (Gaylussacia spp).

• Pest Fact Sheet
• Notice to industry: Expansion of regulated area for blueberry maggot
• News release: Blueberry plants sold by Costco in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador recalled due to potential presence of a plant pest

Policy Directives

• D-02-04: The Blueberry Certification Program and domestic phytosanitary requirements to prevent the spread of blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax) within Canada
• D-95-08: Phytosanitary import requirements for fresh temperate fruits and tree nuts
• D-08-04: Plant protection import requirements for plants and plant parts for planting

Pest risk management documents

• RMD-19-04: Revision of the geographic boundaries of the regulated areas for the blueberry maggot Rhagoletis mendax Curran in the province of Quebec
• RMD-14-02: Revision of the geographic boundaries of the regulated areas for the blueberry maggot Rhagoletis mendax Curran in the province of Ontario
• RMD-11-03: Revision of the geographic boundaries of the regulated areas for the blueberry maggot Rhagoletis mendax Curran in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec