Friday, July 13, 2012

Spotted Wing Drosophila, An Invasive Pest Threatens Blueberries

Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii is a non-native invasive pest that threatens blueberries and other fruit crops in many states from coast to coast.  Fruits affected include ripening cherry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and strawberry crops. It will also occasionally attacking other fruit such as plums, plumcots, nectarines, and figs. This fly attacks healthy fruit unlike most fruit flies which are only drawn to rotting fruit.
Here are links to additional information on this pest:
Trap for spotted wing Drosophila
Image by Hannah Burrack, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org

Spotted wing Drosophila on trap
Image by Hannah Burrack, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org