Tag: Fruit pests

According to entomologists, the small, white 'worms' often found in fresh blackberries are most likely the larvae of the spotted-wing drosophila, a type of fruit fly. The quick answer to "Are the worms in blackberries harmful to humans?" is no, they are generally not dangerous to consume, though the thought may be unappealing.

While genuine earthworms are not found in grapes, the fruit is susceptible to a number of insect larvae, such as the grape berry moth, that are commonly mistaken for worms. These larvae typically infest the fruit during its growth cycle in the vineyard.

Unlike some fruits that ripen on trees, watermelons grow on vines above the ground, making it extremely rare for common soil-dwelling worms to burrow inside a healthy, intact fruit. The misconception that a perfectly ripe watermelon can have worms inside is mostly a myth driven by misunderstandings of fruit anatomy and rare contamination events.

According to research from Cornell University, pests like the spotted wing drosophila can infest berries, making a thorough wash essential for removing larvae. Finding out what do I soak strawberries in to get the bugs out is a simple process that guarantees your berries are clean and ready to enjoy.