First catch reports are coming in from across New York State this week. Likely the few remaining counties with zero catch will have catch in the next several days.
Nine out of eleven tart cherry orchards, not in the monitoring network, but part of a research program on SWD IPM for tart cherries, have reached first catch this week.
SWD numbers are on the rise, especially in Eastern New York and along Lake Ontario. Here are the details:
Niagara County
In raspberry, fruit are ripe and harvests are underway. 4 male and 22 female SWD were caught in four traps checked on June 28, 2021. That's 26 SWD! No question, it's time to protect the crop with insecticides. These traps are being monitored by Elizabeth Tee, Lake Ontario Fruit Program, CCE.
Clinton County
In blueberry, fruit are ripening. 1 male SWD was caught in four traps checked on June 29, 2021. It's time to plan the insecticide program to protect the crop. These traps are being monitored by Elisabeth Hodgdon and Andy Galimberti, Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program, CCE.
Chautauqua County
In blueberry, which is 10% blue, 1 male and 2 female SWD were caught in two traps checked on June 29, 2021. This blueberry planting will need to be protected against SWD with insecticides. These traps are being monitored by Anna Osatuke, Berry Specialist with the Harvest NY team, CCE. Anna recently started in her position. Please welcome her to berry extension!
Onondaga County
In blueberry, fruit are ripening on early-season varieties and still green on late-season varieties. 1 male SWD was caught in four traps checked on June 30, 2021. Harvest is underway in an adjacent raspberry planting nearer the woods and it is likely numbers of SWD are higher in that area of the farm. Raspberries need protection with insecticides, carefully chosen to allow for pre-harvest intervals. Blueberries will need protection once fruit are ripe. These traps are being monitored by Juliet Carroll, NYS IPM Program, CCE.
Please stay tuned, check your harvest for infestation with salt flotation, place harvested fresh fruit into cold storage (33°F-34°F) immediately, and implement your SWD management program.
SWD management program tips:
- Plan insecticide use so you have materials with lower PHI for use close to harvest.
- Rotate active ingredients (IRAC groups) through to harvest for resistance management.
- Don’t stretch spray intervals, 7 day interval max.
- Achieve thorough coverage.
- If it rains, reapply (according to label).
- Mow the row middles.
- Prune to open the canopy to sunlight.
- Read and follow label recommendations.
Find more information on the Cornell Fruit Resources SWD Management page, fruit.cornell.edu/spottedwing/management/.