While spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is by far the most destructive pest of berries in New York State, a number of 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. Rose chafers also ranked highly. However, the traps for this pest can often draw more insects to the monitoring location, so we are not including this in our current efforts.
Survey Responses: What other insects are problematic on your farm?
Responses from berry growers in winter 2023-2024. Surveys were conducted at regional winter meetings and on the SWD blog.
| Weighted Value | Pest | Rank |
| 18.2 | Cranberry Fruitworm | 1 |
| 16.9 | Rose Chafers | 2 |
| 16.0 | Cherry Fruitworm | 3 |
| 13.8 | Blueberry Maggot | 4 |
| 12.1 | Mites | 5 |
| 9.4 | Aphids | 6 |
| 8.9 | Leafhoppers | 7 |
| 7.4 | Japanese Beetles | 8 |
| 6.2 | Sap Beetles | 9 |
| 3.9 | Other – gall wasps | 10 |
In 2024, in addition to the extensive SWD monitoring efforts across NY State, we are monitoring cranberry fruitworm (CBFW), cherry fruitworm (CFW), and blueberry maggot (BBM) at ten sites across the state and reporting data on the Berry Pest Monitoring Network blog and map. Each can each be monitored using a unique trap with a pheromone or scented lure to attract the target insect. Monitoring can be used to detect pest activity in specific locations and identify the best windows for management. These tend to be sporadic pests, so it is important to be monitoring for pest activity and scouting for damage to determine whether these pests are active, which pest is active, and when they are active at a specific location.
More information on each insect and monitoring methods can be found on the ‘For Collaborators‘ page of the Berry Pest Monitoring Network Blog.
Cranberry Fruitworm (CBFW)
As of the week of June 3 in the 2024 season, we have detected some CBFW activity in many parts of the state. 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 2024 were reported the week of May 13 for a few sites in Columbia, Schuyler, and Tompkins counties. At other locations where we are monitoring (in these counties and other counties), CBFW has not been detected this season. For sites where CBFW is present, this week or next would be an appropriate time for insecticide applications targeting the young larvae.
| Location | 3-May6 | 4-May13 | 5-May20 | 6-May27 | 7-Jun3 |
| Albany1 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Columbia2 | 0 | 0 | |||
| HV Milton – Ontario6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| HV Red Hook – Columbia3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 36 | 17 |
| LO1 – Niagara4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| LO2 – Orleans2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Schuyler6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Tompkins4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Washington1 | 15 | ||||
| Washington2 | 0 | 0 |
Cherry Fruitworm (CFW)
Very little CFW has been detected in sites where we are monitoring in 2024. 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 sustained trap capture (2 consecutive weeks).
First trap capture was reported for one site in Washington County the week of June 3. First capture was reported in two additional sites the week of June 3, one each in Schuyler and Washington County. Where CFW is present, an insecticide application targeting egg hatch and larval emergence would be appropriate this week or next.
Blueberry Maggot (BBM)
As of the week of June 3, 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 2024, in which first detections of SWD have been reported in many locations the week of June 3.
Thank you to all of our collaborators for helping to monitor for these pests in 2024, including Janet van Zoeren (LOFT), Liz Tee (LOFT), Natasha Field (ENYCHP), Laura McDermott (ENYCHP), Anya Osatuke (Harvest NY), and Hannah Tolz (NYSIPM).