Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert: September 22, 2017

Spotted Wing Drosophila
Spotted Wing Drosophila; photo by Griffin Dill

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

There was a downturn in spotted wing drosophila numbers at most of our trapping locations this week, although it is important to note that all locations still had populations high enough to cause significant damage to any ripening fruit remaining in fields. (See table below.) Fall raspberries and day-neutral strawberries are especially susceptible at this time. Growers with any ripening fruit should continue protecting their crop against egg-laying drosophila. A minimum spray interval of 5 to 7 days is recommended to keep fruit from becoming infested.

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

Spotted Wing Drosophila Maggot in Raspberry
SWD Maggot in Raspberry; photo by David Handley

Quick Farm Labor Survey: This may be the easiest survey you have ever been asked to complete! It’s 10 questions that can be answered with a simple click of a button. We have heard your requests to provide educational resources to help you recruit, retain, and manage labor on your farms and at your agricultural businesses. We are looking to get information to help us focus on what resources would be especially helpful. Just 3 minutes of your time would make a big difference to us.

Please respond ASAP and before Sunday, October 8, 2017. To complete this survey please click here. Thanks again, for your time!

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

Where brand names or company names are used it is for the reader’s information. No endorsement is implied nor is any discrimination intended against other products with similar ingredients. Always consult product labels for rates, application instructions and safety precautions. Users of these products assume all associated risks.

The University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

Town Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch
9/8/17
Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch
9/15/17
Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch
9/22/17
Wells 273 330 45
Limington 568 734 373
Limerick 326 1771 174
Cape Elizabeth 2968 1308 879
New Gloucester 272 383 341
Bowdoinham 449 792 264
Dresden 666 1584 554
Freeport 164 132 359
Poland Spring 807 1145 1866
Mechanic Falls 77 48 113
Monmouth 434 470 63
Wales 122 86 104
Farmington 1728 1848 286