Genus species: Drosophila suzukii
The spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) is a vinegar or fruit fly of East Asian origin. It made its way into New York by 2011. Today, it has spread throughout most of the continental US. It can directly infest the fruit of many plants, but is most attracted to raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and other late-season, soft-flesh fruits — cultivated and wild.
SWD deserves notice because, unlike her relatives, which lay eggs on over-ripe or rotting fruit, she can lay eggs inside fresh fruit, often before harvest. After only a few days, the fruit skin becomes dimpled or wrinkled, forming craters in the fruit. Without control measures, late season raspberries, blackberries and blueberries can suffer upwards of 80% crop loss.
Cornell University is coordinating SWD monitoring in NY. A map of current findings is found on the Distribution maps page and the SWD blog reports where it is being caught.
Crops of concern and wild hosts
Economic and environmental impact
SWD Resources:
- Spotted Wing Drosophila Working Group, NE IPM:
- Getting Ready for Spotted Wing Drosophila: Understanding Risks for Small Fruit Crops and Current Management Options – webcast with Dr. Greg Loeb, Cornell University
- Spotted Wing Drosophila – Michigan State University
- Spotted Wing Drosophila – Oregon State University
- SWD Resource Database from the Northeastern IPM Center
- PA IPM, Spotted Wing Drosophila, Individual sections in PDF format:
- This “Ninja” Fruit Fly Cuts into Perfect Fruits – Spotted Wing Drosophila (2012 Fruit Quarterly v. 20-3)
- Spotted Wing Drosophila – General information, NC Small Fruit & Specialty Crop IPM
- Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food
- Finger Lakes SWD monitoring videos – See — and learn how to ID — what the Loeb Lab is finding in their SWD traps. More info.
- Spotted Wing Drosophila – Info from the New York State IPM Program.
- SWD ID Video – You-tube video from Oregon State University on how to identify SWD.
- SWD Management – NY product tables for berry crops – including blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, and strawberries. NY product tables for stone fruit and grapes.
- Special SWD issue of New York Berry News [2013-07-29]
- Evaluation of Insect Exclusion and Mass Trapping as Cultural Controls of Spotted Wing Drosophila in Organic Blueberry Production – New York Fruit Quarterly, Spring 2014.
- How do I manage Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) in my garden?
Spotted Wing Drosophila Blog:
Latest posts:
- Sustained catch in Monroe County
Sustained catch in Monroe County marks the end of 2020 SWD monitoring. Please join me in thanking all who contribute to this effort! In the blueberry planting in Monroe County, Janet van Zoeren, CCE Lake Ontario Fruit Program, caught 11 SWD in the week ending July 28 (2 males and 9 females). You know what ...continue reading "Sustained catch in Monroe County" - Mysterious package from China? Don’t handle the seeds!
“Our office has received questions from a few New Yorkers who have received unsolicited packages allegedly sent from China that are marked as containing jewelry (or other items) but which actually contain plant seeds. Similar packages have been received in other states and the United States Department of Agriculture is investigating. People who receive seeds should not plant or handle the seeds. They should store them safely in ...continue reading "Mysterious package from China? Don’t handle the seeds!" - Sustained catch wraps the network
Sustained catch at the final three sites in the SWD monitoring network: two in Orleans County and one in Wayne County. In raspberries in Orleans County, 8 SWD were caught in 2 traps (3 males and 5 females). In blueberries in Orleans and Wayne Counties 4 (3 males and 1 female) were caught in 2 ...continue reading "Sustained catch wraps the network" - First catch in Monroe County
One female SWD was caught in a trap set in a blueberry planting in Monroe County. The traps were checked on July 21, 2020. Fruit is ripe and U-pick is open. These traps are being monitored by Janet van Zoeren, Lake Ontario Fruit Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension. This marks the last county in the SWD ...continue reading "First catch in Monroe County" - Sustained Catches, More SWD
Sustained catch, was obtained in seven counties in NY between June 29 and July 14; numbers hit a high of 57 at one location. Read about the five key tactics that contribute to an aggressive SWD management program below. It may be imperative to begin a spray program to protect ripe fruit. SWD build-up has ...continue reading "Sustained Catches, More SWD" - SWD found in Herkimer County
In a blueberry planting in Herkimer County six SWD were caught in four traps during the week ending June 30, 2020. No zero catch was obtained at this site. Traps were initially set on June 23. These traps are being monitored by the grower at this location. Across New York there is only one location ...continue reading "SWD found in Herkimer County" - First catch in Steuben County
In a blueberry planting in Steuben County, we now have first catch. A single male was found in a trap set on the edge of the planting that was checked on July 1, 2020 by Ariel Kirk, Agriculture Educator, Steuben County Cornell Cooperative Extension. A big shout out to Ariel. This is her first year ...continue reading "First catch in Steuben County"
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