Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert: August 6, 2018
David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist; Frank Drummond, Professor of Insect Ecology/Entomology
Captures of spotted wing drosophila (SWD) fruit flies in vinegar/yeast traps in raspberry and highbush blueberry plantings remained low in most locations, although at two sites ((Limington, Readfield) counts rose above threshold levels. (See table below.) The recent warm, wet weather will encourage SWD infestations, however, as it may lead to more rotten fruit in the field and increase ambient moisture levels. Growers should try to keep rotten fruit out of the field as much as possible and encourage dry conditions by pruning out excess growth, especially near the base of the plantings. Growers who have been catching flies in their traps for more than one week and have ripening fruit should put on a protectant spray.
We expect spotted wing drosophila populations to increase significantly in the coming weeks as more ripe and rotten fruit becomes available for the flies. Protective sprays should be applied if more than four spotted wing drosophila flies are caught in a trap, flies are caught consistently for more than one week, or any larvae are noticed in the fruit. Look for fruit flies hovering around fruit and symptoms of premature fruit decay.
For more information on identifying spotted wing drosophila and updates on populations around the state, visit our SWD blog.
Other IPM Web Pages
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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| Town | Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch 7/20/18 | Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch 7/27/18 | Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch 8/3/18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wells | – | – | 0 |
| Sanford | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| Limington | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Limerick | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Buxton | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Bowdoinham | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Cape Elizabeth | – | – | 1 |
| Dresden | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Freeport | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Poland Spring | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mechanic Falls | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Monmouth | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Readfield | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| Wales | 5 | – | 2 |
| Farmington | 8 | – | 1 |
| Fayette | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wayne | 0 | – | 0 |