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:
- First catch in Schuyler County
A single male SWD was caught in a trap set on the edge of a blueberry planting in the eastern part of Schuyler County. Traps were checked on May 21, after the cold spell broke and warmer weather prevailed at week's end in the Finger Lakes region. The plants are at early pink bud and ...continue reading "First catch in Schuyler County" - 2020 SWD Monitoring Begins!
The 2020 SWD monitoring season is getting underway. We can only hope that the lousy spring weather, frost and freeze events, and delayed plant development have taken their toll on SWD, as well. (Are anyone's fingers crossed like mine?) So far, zero SWD has been caught in traps already set out. We're using a new ...continue reading "2020 SWD Monitoring Begins!" - Spotted Lanternfly Workshop – online
On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, Jim O'Connell, Ulster County CCE, will be hosting a webinar on that new spotted invasive, spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). This insect threatens vineyards, woodlands and orchards...and backyards! It has caused significant damage to wine grapes in Pennsylvania, where it was first introduced from Asia. Fascinating insects, Fulgorids. Yet, none existed ...continue reading "Spotted Lanternfly Workshop – online" - Herbicide-Resistant Super Weeds
Are they in New York State? Yes! Where are they? We're going to find out! A statewide weed herbicide resistance screening project will start this year. Dr. Lynn Sosnoskie, specialty crop weed science, Dr. Bryan Brown, IPM weed management specialist, and Dr. Toni DiTommaso, soil and crop sciences, will find out. Help them to help you! ...continue reading "Herbicide-Resistant Super Weeds" - Berry blog – subscribe for field updates!
Esther Kibbe, Western NY Berry Specialist, has started a newsletter on the Cornell Fruit Resources Berry Blog, blogs.cornell.edu/berries/berry-blog/. You can easily subscribe to this blog and get updates on field observations from Western NY. Or contact Esther via email at ejp9@cornell.edu. Her April 6 Scouting Update - Western NY has great photos and a summary of her ...continue reading "Berry blog – subscribe for field updates!" - Thinking exclusion?
As in "exclusion netting"...? Here are answers to growers' most frequently asked questions. In organic and low spray vegetable production, insect exclusion netting, for many years, has successfully reduced or eliminated insect pest damage. The arrival of spotted wing drosophila (SWD) and the devastation it caused prompted immediate field research on this barrier method for ...continue reading "Thinking exclusion?" - Stay Healthy, Wash your Hands, Meet Online
I trust everyone is staying healthy, washing their hands and meeting mainly online, rather than in person. Regardless, our fruit crops will grow and require care and protection from insects, mites, plant diseases, wildlife, and weeds! I will continue to provide SWD information via this blog. Current plans are to run the SWD monitoring network ...continue reading "Stay Healthy, Wash your Hands, Meet Online"
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