On August 20th, traps being monitored by Bernie Armata, Extension Educator, Herkimer County Cornell Cooperative Extension, caught 5 male SWD. These traps were in a blueberry planting and shortly after receiving the trap catch news, the grower did salt flotation on a fruit sample, confirmed larval presence and shut down harvest.
The good news is the grower was able to harvest 90% of their blueberry crop before SWD arrival.
Bernie adds that, "It would seem that SWD arrive in Central NY a bit later than some other areas of the state, as this has been the case two out of the last five or six years."
SWD populations are building up. Any fruit hanging will be at risk of infestation. Not until late November will the majority of female SWD no longer carry eggs, to prepare for overwintering. If you have fruit in protected culture (high tunnels), be especially vigilant. SWD management during late summer and early fall must include insecticides to protect fruit from infestation, unless effective exclusion netting is being used.