Keep a Compound Eye Out for Spotted Wing Drosophila Posted:
March 28, 2011 Spotted Wing Drosophila is an insect pest of most
berries, cherries, grapes, and other tree fruit with soft flesh.
First discovered in the western U.S. in 2008, SWD moved on to
areas of Florida, Michigan, and North Carolina by 2010. Females
damage fruit by slicing through the skin with their knife-like
ovipositor, inserting eggs that develop into small white larvae.
These cuts can also be a pathway for fungal pathogens, leading
to greater reductions in fruit quality. The SWD may affect more
harvestable fruit than native Drosophila species that typically
only lay eggs on already-damaged fruit. Infested fruit will not
show obvious symptoms until a few days after egg-laying, when
the fruit flesh starts to break down. For information on
monitoring, identification, and control of Spotted Wing
Drosophila, consult the North Central IPM Regional Pest Alert
fact sheet at http://www.ncipmc.org/alerts/drosophila.cfm