Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center
1992 Folwell Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108
Spotted wing drosophila
(Drosophila suzukii)
Overview
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii) is a fruit fly that was first found in the United States in 2011. Female SWD lay their eggs inside soft-flesh fruits like raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and grapes. Infestations have caused total loss of harvest, but losses between 20% and 60% are more typical, even with intensive pest management.
Research Connection
MITPPC researchers are working on the problem from many angles – evaluating the economic impact to Minnesota; using new drone technology to evaluate flight migration patterns of SWD; and searching for sustainable management alternatives. The information they obtain will help berry growers across the state.
Read More
Spotted wing drosophila in home gardens | UMN Extension
Spotted wing drosophila | FruitEdge
Defending berries against spotted wing drosophila | Minnesota Fruit Research
Related projects
- Management strategies for the invasive spotted wing drosophila, Mary Rogers, Horticultural Science, CFANS
- Genetic control of invasive insect species: Phase I, Michael Smanski, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics and Biotechnology Institute, CBS
Header image credit:
"Spotted wing drosophila" by Oregon Department of Agriculture is licensed under CC BY 2.0