Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm

Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert: September 1, 2017

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist; Frank Drummond, Professor of Insect Ecology/Entomology

Our trap captures for spotted wing drosophila continued to increase this week at nearly all locations. (See table below.) Growers with any susceptible ripening fruit will need to continue protecting against fly egg-laying and larval infestation. Only regular, consistent spray coverage will prevent fruit infestation. We recommend a minimum spray interval of 5 to 7 days.

While cooler evening temperatures slow fruit development, we have seen little impact on spotted wing drosophila activity, thus we expect populations to continue rising, until they are exposed to several hard frosts. Keep harvesting ripe fruit regularly and remove all rotten or cull fruit from the field.

For more information on identifying spotted wing drosophila and updates on populations around the state, visit our SWD blog.

Other IPM Web Pages

• Michigan State University
• Penn State University
• University of New Hampshire

David T. Handley
Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist

Highmoor Farm, P.O. Box 179, 52 US Route 202, Monmouth, ME 04259, 207.933.2100

UMaine Extension Diagnostic Research Lab, Pest Management Unit, 17 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME 04473, 1.800.287.0279

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