The first spotted wing drosophila of the season was trapped yesterday.
1 female was caught in a drowning jar trap in a blueberry planting in Penn Yan (Yates county). Thank you to Anya Osatuke for checking that trap!
Fruits of susceptible crops can be attacked as soon as they begin to blush or soften. Susceptible crops include raspberries, blackberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches, and thin-skinned grapes.
Spotted wing can be managed using a combination of cultural and chemical practices. You will need to be diligent.
- Excellent sanitation will reduce SWD populations. Fruit should be harvested frequently and completely to prevent the buildup of ripe and over-ripe fruit. Unmarketable fruit should be removed from the field and either frozen, “baked” in clear plastic bags placed in the sun, or disposed of in bags off-site. This will kill larvae, remove them from your crop, and prevent them from emerging as adults.
- Cool berries immediately. Chilling berries immediately after harvest to 32° – 34° F will slow or stop the development of larvae and eggs in the fruit. U-Pick customers should be encouraged to refrigerate fruit immediately to maintain fruit quality at home.
- An open canopy and dripline irrigation will make the environment less favorable. Prune to maintain an open canopy, increase sunlight and reduce humidity. This will make plantings less attractive to SWD and will improve spray coverage. Repair leaking drip lines and avoid overhead irrigation when possible. Allow the ground and mulch surface to dry before irrigating.
- Insecticide sprays will kill SWD adults and thereby reduce egg laying. Insecticide treatments should begin at first SWD trap catch when highly susceptible fruit crops, such as raspberries and blackberries, begin ripening.
Insecticides should be re-applied at least every seven days and more often in the event of rain. Choose the most effective insecticides with pre-harvest intervals that work for your picking schedule. Rotate insecticides according to their modes of action. Quick reference guides can be found for berries or stone fruits.