Spotted Wing Drosophila
Image credit: Spotted Wing Drosophila_Hannah Burrack, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org
Image credit: Paul Langlois, Museum Collections Diptera, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii)
Identification
- Flies are light yellow or brown with red eyes. Dark unbroken bands across the abdominal segments. Adult male SWD has one distinctive dot on each wings along the 1st vein. Magnification is need to identify the females by their serrated ovipositor.
Reasons for Control
- Lay eggs in fruit before it is ripe.
- Causes fruit to ripen and rot rapidly.
Control Notes
- Management typically starts in mid-May, continuing through fruit ripening. Multiple applications of insecticides are required for complete control.