Strawberry Crinkle

Strawberry crinkle might sound like a delicious new candy bar. Instead, it is one of the most destructive viral diseases a strawberry plant can face.

Leaf exhibiting symptoms of strawberry crinkle virus (Catalina Moyer, UF/IFAS GCREC)

​Strawberry crinkle virus was first seen in Oregon and California in 1932 and now occurs worldwide. Spread by aphids, it appears in tandem with other aphid-transmitted diseases, such as mottle, mild yellow edge, pallidosis, and strawberry vein banding. As aphids feed, their saliva transfers the virus to every plant they visit.

Strawberry aphids (InfluentialPoints.com) CC 3.0

Strawberry crinkle virus symptoms

Wilting, reduced runner production, smaller fruit, deformed or streaked flower petals, and crinkled leaves are all symptoms of strawberry crinkle virus. Vein spotting and lesions on petioles (leaf stems) and stolons may also occur. Infected plants may appear top-heavy, exhibiting a form of epinasty. These symptoms can vary in intensity.

Strawberry crinkle virus management

Since bees are critical to strawberry formation, insecticides are generally not an option against the aphids that carry this disease. Use these tips to prevent strawberry crinkle virus from impacting your strawberry crop:

• Only install certified disease-free plants.
• Place new plants in quarantine.
• Monitor for aphids and wipe or spray them off with a garden hose.
• Remove infected plants.

Hopefully, your strawberry plants will never become infected with the crinkle virus. Until we figure out a sustainable way to eliminate aphids, we must be vigilant against these pests.