Cranberry fruitworm (CBFW) and cherry fruitworm (CFW) are now active in some locations in NY. While spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is by far the most destructive pest of berries in New York State, these other insects can also have significant economic impact on berry crops. Growers ranked cranberry fruitworm (CBFW), cherry fruitworm (CFW), and blueberry maggot (BBM) highest for other problematic insect pests on farms at polls conducted in winter 2023-24 conducted at regional winter meetings and on the SWD blog.
CBFW, CFW, and BBM have been included in 2024 and 2025 in the Berry Pest Monitoring Network at select locations. Each can each be monitored using a unique trap with a pheromone or scented lure to attract the target insect. More information on each insect and monitoring methods can be found on the ‘For Collaborators‘ page of the Berry Pest Monitoring Network Blog.
These insect pests tend to be sporadic, they are not present on every farm. A survey in 2006 of WNY farms (Shaw 2007) found that BBM, CFW, CBFW were only present at 10, 60, and 20% of farms respectively. But at farms with infestations, damage was as high as 30% infested fruit. Therefore it is important to observe your crop to see if you have insect damage, and then identify the species present so that you can select the appropriate management options.
Cranberry Fruitworm (CBFW)
As of June 13, CBFW activity has been detected in a few locations. This lepidopteran (moth/caterpillar) pest can be monitored using a wing trap with a specific CBFW pheromone lure. Adult moths of this insect typically emerge in spring during blueberry bloom, and moths fly for a few weeks before laying eggs during early fruit set. Where CBFW is present, an insecticide application targeting egg hatch and emergence of young larvae, approximately 1-2 weeks after sustained trap capture (2 consecutive weeks). This timing is critical because there is a short window (approx. 1 week) before larvae move into fruit and are then protected.
First trap captures in 2025 were reported the week of 6/9 for two sites in Dutchess County, and the week of 6/2 in Schuyler County. The appropriate time for insecticide application targeting the larvae for these insects would be approximately the week of 6/16 or the following. At other locations where we are monitoring (in these counties and other counties), CBFW has not been detected yet this season.
Cranberry Fruitworm Trap Captures
| Location | May 30, 2025 | Jun 6, 2025 | Jun 13, 2025 |
| Albany1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Columbia2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dutchess1 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Dutchess6 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Niagara1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Niagara4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Schuyler | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Cherry Fruitworm (CFW)
Very little CFW has been detected in sites where we are monitoring in 2025. CFW has only been detected at one farm in Dutchess county, with first trap capture the week of 6/2. Similar to CBFW, CFW is a lepidopteran (moth/caterpillar) pest that overwinters as pupae in the soil and emerges in spring as adult moths at around blueberry bloom. A wing trap with a specific pheromone lure can be used to monitor adult moths. Where CFW is present, insecticide applications are recommended approximately one week after first trap capture.
Blueberry Maggot (BBM)
As of the week of June 13, BBM has not been detected in any of the sites where we are monitoring. Typically this insect emerges at early fruit coloring, moving into berry patches from hedgerows. It can be detected with a yellow sticky card, hung in a V shape, with a scented ammonium acetate lure. This insect often overlaps with SWD emergence, and does not require additional management action. This appears to be the case for 2025, in which first detections of SWD have been reported in many locations the week of June 9.
Thank you to all of our collaborators for helping to monitor for these pests in 2024, including Janet van Zoeren (LOFT), Liz Tee (LOFT), Sarah Elone (ENYCHP), Heather Kase (ENYCHP), Anya Osatuke (Harvest NY), Sean O’Hehir (Cornell IPM), and Hannah Tolz (Cornell IPM).