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2014 and Spotted Wing Drosophila Update
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Weekly Insect Bytes for July 25, 2014 and Spotted Wing Drosophila Update
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Posted: July 25, 2014
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While in most orchards the brown marmorated stink bug numbers are still very low, at some locations we spotted the first fruit injuries caused by this pest. Populations of spotted wing drosophila might be higher than in the past this season due to tart cherry blocks that were not harvested because of a light crop and their potential as reservoirs for SWD populations to build.
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For the next few weeks we will have both the overwintering adults and the young summer brown marmorated stink bug adults present in orchards at the same time. Tufted apple bud moth and obliqubanded leafroller populations just started second generations. However, it is still too early to control these pests. The best time to control both leafroller species will occur in early August. Additional Weekly Insect Bytes are posted at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center website under "Growing Season Updates."
Top photo: Common fruit flies (50X); Lower photo: Spotted wing drosophila (60X). Photos by D. Biddinger.
Spotted Wing Drosophila Numbers Increasing Slowly
http://extension.psu.edu/plants/tree-fruit/news/2014/weekly-insect-bytes-for-july-25-2014-and-spotted-wing-drosophila-update[9/18/2014 10:22:31 AM]
Weekly Insect Bytes for July 25, 2014 and Spotted Wing Drosophila Update — Tree Fruit Production — Penn State Extension
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In general, spotted wing drosophila (SWD) numbers are increasing slowly like they have in previous years. Late blueberries are the only crop at risk now, but trap catches remain low, so I wouldn’t get too excited unless you have had a problem in the past. In the past, I have only counted males because of the ease in going through large numbers of flies. It now looks like early season, and with these new commercial lures, counting females at least early on, would be useful since they outnumber the male catches.
Identifying Females Identifying the females is problematic though since without a good microscope and good pictures to positively identify the female SWD ovipositor, other species can be confused. In the photos, note the much wider and sclerotized ovipositor of the SWD that is more evident in the closeup of the lower image. The top picture is at 50X and the lower at 60X. With a hand lens at 15X the differences are not apparent, nor at scopes of less than 40X and with good lighting.
Blackberries Soon at Risk, Followed by Fall Raspberries Our blackberries have not begun to color yet, but they will soon and are at risk soon thereafter if SWD population levels are high enough. Continue to monitor, and start the first SWD sprays for this crop in the next week or so. Best results I have heard of so far and recommended by Michigan are to rotate pyrethroids around Delegate as our most effective product for SWD control. Historically for Pennsylvania, SWD populations start to increase rapidly at peak blackberry harvest and indications are that this is their favored host. When the fall raspberries start to be harvested soon after the blackberries are done, then high populations of SWD put that crop at the highest risk. Populations of SWD might be higher than in the past this season due to tart cherry blocks that have not been harvested because of a light crop and their potential as reservoirs for SWD populations to build.
Early Presence in Grape Vineyards We have been somewhat surprised that we are catching SWD in grape vineyards so early in the season, but it may be that they are attracted to grapes infected with black rot or injured in some other way. We have greatly increased the number of traps and started monitoring grapes earlier in the season than in the past, despite information from the West Coast that SWD is not much of a problem in grapes.
Adequate Spray Coverage Important As you start spraying for SWD, remember spray coverage is critical for this pest.
http://extension.psu.edu/plants/tree-fruit/news/2014/weekly-insect-bytes-for-july-25-2014-and-spotted-wing-drosophila-update[9/18/2014 10:22:31 AM]
Weekly Insect Bytes for July 25, 2014 and Spotted Wing Drosophila Update — Tree Fruit Production — Penn State Extension
I have seen blackberries or fall raspberries where 2 sprays per week of Delegate and Mustang Max failed to give adequate SWD control due to poor application equipment failing to provide adequate coverage, while in similar blocks nearby with similar SWD pressure levels, excellent control was achieved with an airblast sprayer with the same program alternated with only a single spray per week. The difference was coverage and if you are having problems with control, consider going to this type of sprayer or other options to get adequate coverage such as increasing water volume or use of a spreader.
Trap Results MD – numbers up slightly, but still very low. Almost all of the 14 traps had low levels of SWD. 3 in grape, 10 in blackberry, 3 in blueberry. PA - for the first time mostly females, but numbers are still lower than MD. Out of 32 traps only 5 flies and only one was a male.
Contact Information David Biddinger
Tree Fruit Research Entomologist Email:
[email protected] Phone: 717-677-6116
Grzegorz Krawczyk
Extension Tree Fruit Entomologist Email:
[email protected] Phone: 717-677-6116
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http://extension.psu.edu/plants/tree-fruit/news/2014/weekly-insect-bytes-for-july-25-2014-and-spotted-wing-drosophila-update[9/18/2014 10:22:31 AM]
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http://extension.psu.edu/plants/tree-fruit/news/2014/weekly-insect-bytes-for-july-25-2014-and-spotted-wing-drosophila-update[9/18/2014 10:22:31 AM]
