Regional Pest Alert, Spotted Wing Drosophila

Since its discovery in the Pacific Northwest in 2008, this tiny vinegar fly (Drosophila suzukii) has established outposts in nearly every fruit and berry-growing region of North America. Unlike most vinegar flies, this one attacks undamaged fruit. This fact sheet’s superb photos show distinguishing ID features, what damage looks like, and easy-to-make traps. Text describes scouting and control tactics. Created by entomologists and extension educators at Michigan State University.The Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is a small vinegar fly with the potential to damage many fruit crops. In the North Central region, it was first detected in Michigan in late September 2010 and is now widespread. Unlike most other vinegar flies that require damaged fruit to attack, SWD causes damage when the female flies cut a slit and lay eggs in healthy fruit. This insect is a pest of most berry crops, cherries, grapes and other tree fruits, with a preference for softer-fleshed fruit. Given the propensity for this insect to spread and its potential to infest fruit, it is important to learn about monitoring and management of SWD to minimize the risk of larvae developing in fruit and affecting fruit marketability. Spotted Wing Drosophila was first discovered in the western United States in 2008 and is now well-established throughout North America and Europe. Because the flies are only a few millimeters long and cannot fly very far, human-assisted transportation rather than natural dispersion is the most likely cause of the recent rapid spread.This publication was produced and distributed by the USDA- NIFA North Central IPM Center in cooperation with the North Central region’s Land Grant Universities: University of Illinois, Purdue University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Haskell Indian Nations University, Michigan State University, Bay Mills Community College, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, University of Minnesota, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Leech Lake Tribal College, White Earth Tribal and Community College, University of Missouri, Lincoln University, University of Nebraska, Nebraska Indian Community College, Little Priest Tribal College, North Dakota State University, Cankdeska Cikana (Little Hoop) Community College, Fort Berthold Community College, Sitting Bull College, Turtle Mountain Community College, United Tribes Technical College, The Ohio State University, South Dakota State University, Oglala Lakota College, Sinte Gleska University, Sisseton Wahpeton College, University of Wisconsin, College of Menominee Nation, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community CollegeProvenance: Contributed to Sípnuuk by Mark DuPont, a sustainable agriculture farmer, organic farm inspector, instructor and consultant, as a part of his work on Objectives 35 and 37 of the AFRI Food Security Grant (USDA #2012-68004-20018). These objectives were focused on creating regionally appropriate agricultural technical bulletins and creating an online and printed seasonal gardening calendar. Mark has worked with the Mid Klamath Watershed Council since 2000.