Day one of the 2013 EXPO begins with a special joint fruit and vegetable session on the new invasive pest Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD). This pest was first detected in NY at the end of the 2011 growing season and caused significant damage and crop loss to berries across the state and region in 2012. SWD causes damage to late season summer raspberries and blueberries; fall raspberries and blackberries, and day neutral strawberries. In addition, reports of SWD infested fruit were also verified in stone fruit (peaches, plums, and nectarines), grapes, as well as multiple species of wild hosts. Verification of SWD in grape tomato has yet to be confirmed.
Dr. Greg Loeb, grape and small fruit entomologist at Cornell University will recap SWD infestation for the 2012 season including results from a damage assessment survey. Dr. Hannah Burrack, small fruit entomologist from North Carolina State University is a featured speaker who will discuss the biology and life cycle of Spotted Wing Drosophila to help growers gain a better understanding of the pest. Drs. Andrew Landers and Arthur Agnello from Cornell University’s Department of Entomology will instruct growers on modernizing their sprayers for optimal control of SWD and progress made using fixed spraying systems for high-density fruit plantings.