WSU Mount Vernon Research Center

Integrated Insect and Mite Management in Washington’s Small Fruit Production

The Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is a soft fruit pest, is originally from Asia, and is in the same genus as other species commonly known as fruit flies. SWD were discovered in California in 2008 and in Washington and Oregon in 2009.

SWD are distinguished from other fruit pests in that they lay their eggs in healthy fruit that are still attached to the plants. SWD are able to quickly destroy soft fruit such as blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, currant, plum, peach, cherry and grape due to their very rapid reproductive cycles. Depending on environmental conditions, 4 – 10 generations can hatch per season in the Northwest.

The small fruit research program at WSU Mount Vernon NWREC has been conducting laboratory screening studies to evaluate registered insecticides for small fruits to determine their effectiveness to control SWD all season long. Our research goals are to also provide growers with IPM tools that include monitoring techniques (traps, pheromones, scouting), timing of insecticide applications based on plant/pest life cycles, and improved insecticide placement and application techniques.