Bev Gerdeman
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD)
Information for Homeowners
The spotted wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is a pest of soft fruit native to Asia, but was found in California starting in 2008, and in Washington and Oregon in 2009. Most Drosophila species, collectively known as vinegar flies, are attracted to overripe and rotting fruit for ovipositing sites, but SWD females have saw-like ovipositors which they use to lay eggs in ripening fruit, still on the plant.
Fruits targeted by this pest include strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, plum, peach, cherry, and grape. Damage is seen initially as tiny scar on the skin of the fruit, and then the skin collapses and may become moldy in the area where the egg was laid and the larva is developing. The larvae will feed inside the fruit for 5-7 days. Adult females can lay up to 350 eggs in a lifetime.
A research team, including scientists from California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia are collaborating to understand the lifecycle of this pest as well as monitoring and management techniques.
Links
Oregon State University has released several informative publications and videos for home gardeners including information on identification, monitoring and control. Find publications and videos for home gardeners on SWD here: http://swd.hort.oregonstate.edu/gardeners
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