- Author: Chris M. Webb
Today Ventura County Cooperative Extension Staff Research Associate Maren Mochizuki shares with us site considerations for local spotted wing drosophila research. As you will see much preparation, thought and cooperation is involved in research planning.
Because we are interested in the movement of spotted wing drosophila to/from host crops, we selected locations with one or more host crops (e.g. blueberries, raspberries, strawberries) adjacent to one another. Growers are very cooperative in allowing us monitor on their properties every week.
In early June, we installed traps in Oxnard and Camarillo (blueberries next to strawberries, blueberries next to raspberries and blueberries next to blueberries). In July, we added one location in Santa Paula (blackberries adjacent to nectarines, peaches, plums, apples and strawberries).
For this monitoring project, we had several considerations for trap locations:
1) Proximity to host crops. For example, for a blueberry field with strawberries on its north and west sides, we installed two traps each along those two edges but none to the south and east.
2) Crop cultural practices and maintenance. Normal activities in the field such as harvesting and watering adjacent farm roads to keep dust down (thanks to the grower who reminded us of this) could disrupt the traps. We tried to place them securely and several feet away from roads.
3) Wind direction. Because insects can be carried by wind, they may first appear in downwind areas.
4) Shading. Traps were placed in the shade of the plant canopy and partially buried in the case of blueberries or strawberries or hung under the canopy in the case of nectarines and blackberries to maintain a cooler bait temperature.
5) Replication. Multiple traps at the same property provide a more thorough survey.
For more information about this pest, please read previous posts or visit UC ANR’s intergrated pest management website.
Blueberries adjacent to strawberries in Ventura County.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Spotted wing drosophila (previously known as the cherry vinegar fruit fly) is an invasive species that was first spotted in California in August 2008 in Santa Cruz County. It can now be found all throughout California and further north to Canada and arrived in our area late last spring. It has been found on a variety of commercial and backyard host crops including: cherry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, boysenberry, varieties of Japanese plums, plumcots, and nectarines.
The spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is native to Southeast Asia. It lays its eggs in fresh soft fruit underneath the skin. The larvae hatch and then burrow inside the fruit to continue their development. In the earliest stage of infestation there is virtually no visible signs of damage to fruit. This pest has the potential to create severe economic losses for commercial growers and a loss of produce at home and community gardens.
Much work is being done by UC researchers throughout the state to find safe and effective ways to combat this insect. Monitoring is being conducted in Ventura County by Farm Advisors Oleg Daugovish and Ben Faber, Research Associate Maren Mochizuki, and Lab Assistant Marjie Bartels.
What can you do? Stay informed. Up-to-date information regarding this pest can be found on the UCR Center for Invasive Species Research website .
A prior version of this post incorrectly stated SWD had been found in apples and pears. There have been no reports of damage to these fruits in California or Oregon. For further information, please refer to this UC IPM page.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
As previously mentioned on our blog, the spotted wing drosophilia (formerly known as the cherry vinegar fly) has caused much damage to fruit in some California counties, including ours. UCCE scientists have worked hard since its arrival to find ways to minimize the damage to crops.
A UC Pest Management Guidelines publication for the spotted wing drosophila has recently been released. It can be downloaded for free. Other free UC Pest Management publications, arranged by crops, can be found here. Free pest information for homeowners and natural environments can be found at UC’s IPM home page.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Mark Bolda is the Strawberry and Caneberry Farm Advisor in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito Counties. Our own Oleg Daugovish collaborates regularly with him on many projects.
I would like to share with you Mark Bolda’s blog. He has several posts related to the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) previously known as the cherry vinegar fly. These posts include:
- the importance of monitoring for this pest allows growers to manage the insect before the infestation is heavy
- what to look for and steps to take if found
In addition to being informative, the posts on SWD that span about one year are additionally interesting as they are written as the problem unfolds. It is a glimpse into the on-going work and the on-the-ground problem solving that comes with being a UCCE Farm Advisor.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Ventura has a new pest, the cherry vinegar fly, Drosophila suzukii. This pest goes after not just cherries, but raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. It has been in the Central Valley and along the coast for over a year now and is a serious pest. Background information and an outline for likely management practices can be found on UC ANR's Strawberry and Caneberry blog. Color photos of the pest and damage caused along with lifecycle information can be found here.
Rose Hayden-Smith, our UCCE County Director, learned about the pest from Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzalez at a recent Farm Bureau meeting. She told Jim Downer, a Farm Advisor in our office, who grows berries at his home. Jim commented that he had seen a possible suspect on his fruit. Jim submitted the infested blackberry fruit into the County of Ventura Ag Commissioner and his suspicions were confirmed. In addition our Farm Advisors have been hearing reports from raspberry and blueberry growers about the effect of the flies on fruit.
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
