pest control


Asian invader has a variety of victims


SpottedWing Drosophila spreads rapidly, with pre-harvest infestations that render fruit unmarketable. By Judie Steeves


A


tiny new invader with the potential to cause significant damage to berries, as well as soft fruits and grapes, has been discovered in the Fraser Valley. The Spotted Wing Drosophila infests thin-skinned fruit—before harvest—contaminating it with larvae and rendering it soft and unmarketable.


This small fruit fly hails from Asia and was discovered last year in California, Oregon and Washington, where, within weeks, populations exploded on farms where it was found. In the Fraser Valley, it was confirmed infesting fall raspberry, blueberry, wild and cultivated blackberry and grapes.


Fruit larvae were also found in strawberries and kiwi fruit but were not confirmed as Drosophila suzukii.


Spotted Wing Drosophila-infested blueberry fruit with pupae.


A pest alert from the provincial agriculture ministry in December warned that additional hosts include dogwood, mulberry, cherry and other stone fruits. Females lay eggs under the skin of ripe fruit shortly before harvest. They hatch and begin to feed within the fruit, causing softening. In addition the holes left


14 British Columbia Berry Grower • Spring 2010


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