Spotted Wing Drosophila Update: September 9, 2022
Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert: September 9, 2022
David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, New Farmers Program Manager
Spotted wing drosophila fly counts continued to rise this week. Trap counts have been very high at all locations, meaning there is a very high threat level for any ripening fruit remaining in berry fields. Growers should maintain a tight, regular (5-7 day) spray schedule to prevent larvae from infesting fruit. We anticipate continued growth of fly numbers in the coming days, threatening any unprotected berries in the field.
All soft-fruited crops, including fall raspberries, blackberries, and day-neutral strawberries should be sprayed to prevent infestation by spotted wing drosophila larvae. Growers should maintain a 5-7-day spray schedule as long as flies are present.
Keep berry fields clean of over-ripe and rotten fruit as much as possible. Rotten fruit on the plants or on the ground will greatly increase the number of fruit flies present, by providing them with food and egg-laying sites.
Other IPM Web Pages
Michigan State University: http://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/invasive_species/spotted_wing_drosophila/
Penn State University: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-wing-drosophila-part-1-overview-and-identification
David T. Handley
Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist
Highmoor Farm Pest Management Office
P.O. Box 179 491 College Avenue
Monmouth, ME 04259 Orono, ME 04473
207.933.2100 1.800.287.0279
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| Town | Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch 8/26/22 | Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch 9/2/22 | Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch 9/9/22 |
| Wells | 26 | 647 | 1184 |
| Limerick | 26 | 20 | 202 |
| New Gloucester | 32 | 166 | 577 |
| Bowdoinham | 48 | 47 | 86 |
| Mechanic Falls | 179 | 249 | 992 |
| Monmouth | 412 | 1,519 | 1032 |
| Wayne | 53 | 799 | 832 |
Weekly spotted wing drosophila trap captures.