Spotted Wing Drosophila on Strawberry
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Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is a serious invasive pest of soft-skinned fruits. Berries can become infested by legless, white, 1⁄8 -inch long larvae. Adult bodies are 1⁄10 -inch long and amber with red eyes and clear wings. Adult males have a single dark spot near the tip of each wing and two small but distinct dark bands on each front leg. Spots on the wings may not be apparent on newly emerged males. The female has a distinct serrated ovipositor which is used to insert tiny white eggs with two filimentuous breathing tubes into the fruit. The female also has unbroken banding of the abdomen.
Spotted wing drosophila larvae in a blueberry.
(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky
Spotted wing drosophila adult male with dark spot on each wing.
(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)
Spotted wing drosophila adult female with distinct ovipositor.
(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Sanitation is important to remove infested fruit.
- Collect overripe, damaged, or rotting fruit in clear bags, and leave bags in the sun.
- Refrigerate berries immediately after harvest.
- In small plantings, use fine screening to completely seal off plants.
- Trap for adults as soon as fruit start to form.
- If adults are caught in traps, begin insecticide sprays and reapply every 5 to 7 days.
