provide entry points for disease- causing organisms and other insects. This pest overwinters as an adult fly and in spring they become active, mate and lay eggs in suitable fruit. Based on climate model predictions, there could be up to five generations a season in B.C., likely overlapping, as the flies are relatively long-lived. They prefer temperatures of 20 C and cooler. They can lay 16 eggs a day, and average 384 eggs per female. The eggs hatch in two to 72 hours and the larvae mature in three to 13 days. Pupae reside in the fruit, or outside for from three to 15 days, depending on the temperature.


Adults can be blown by the wind to infest new fields or by transportation of infested fruit to new regions. It’s important to observe good harvest and sanitation practices, including culling soft fruit, burying culls and keeping processing areas and equipment free of old fruit.


More is expected to be known about the pest this year as crops mature. Monitoring is done with a commercial fruit fly bait or with a yeast, sugar and water-baited container trap. Suspect fruit can be


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COVER-ALL BUILDINGS BC LTD.   


collected and inspected for larvae, but adult flies are needed to confirm species.


Growers who suspect they may have the pest should contact the ministry’s plant diagnostic laboratory, but go to


the website to ensure samples are collected and submitted properly: www.al.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/lab.htm You could also contact ministry entomologist Susanna Acheampong in Kelowna, at 1-888-332-3352.


PROTECT YOUR EQUIPMENT


British Columbia Berry Grower • Spring 2010 15


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