Spotted Wing Drosophila numbers continue to increase. We are consistently catching them in all locations across the state where we have traps. Trap captures average over 100 each of males and females (up from approximately 70 males and 60 females per trap on average last week) with some locations with very low numbers and others with over 600 total SWD. This is consistent with reports from other states in the Northeast and upper Midwest.
Some conventional growers are reporting good success with a rotation of Delegate and Assail + sugar on a 7 day schedule. Some organic growers are reporting adequate control with a combination of mass trapping, alternating Entrust and Neem or Oxidate, and some exclusion netting for small scale production. Either approach must also incorporate frequent harvest, good canopy management (pruning for good air circulation), and prompt refrigeration of harvested fruit in order to be successful. Consumer education is also helpful especially in PYO settings where customers can help by removing overripe or damaged fruit from the field for a credit toward their purchase.
See https://extension.umass.edu/fruitadvisor/spotted-wing-drosophila for monitoring, identification and management information.
