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:
- 20 to 1000 SWD per trap
As I sat one evening enjoying my glass of Cabernet Sauvignon on my patio in the Finger Lakes, I noticed several small fruit flies flitting about my wine. Hmmmm...yes, SWD. The tell-tale spots on the wings of the males were a dead giveaway. And I've grown so used to the golden brown somewhat hunchbacked body ...continue reading "20 to 1000 SWD per trap" - Confirmed Spotted Lanternfly in New York
New York State Agencies encourage the public to report findings of the invasive pest, spotted lanternfly. As of August 14, 2020, it was confirmed that spotted lanternfly (SLF), an invasive pest from Asia, has been found on Staten Island. The New York State Departments of Agriculture and Markets (AGM), Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Office of Parks, ...continue reading "Confirmed Spotted Lanternfly in New York" - Back to School? Yes, school IPM
If you know people in the K-12 community, let them know about this year's IPM Conference, School IPM 2020: Where We've Been and What's Next. A virtual conference taking place on the mornings of August 11 and 18, 2020. Starting this Tuesday, August 11! Where? On Zoom, of course! The cost is only $15 per ...continue reading "Back to School? Yes, school IPM" - 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"
powered by RSS Just Better 1.4 plugin