This announcement is also posted with color pictures on the Highmoor Farm Spotted Wing Drosophila web blog at
https://extension.umaine.edu/highmoor/category/spotted-wing-drosophila/. Please keep us abreast of any email address changes. Thank you.
SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA UPDATE: 8/21/2020
David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Christina Howard, Produce Safety Professional
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) fruit fly numbers continued to increase at nearly all of our monitoring sites this week. At this time of year, the abundance of ripe fruit available can stimulate SWD populations to increase rapidly. Most trap counts are at their highest levels of the season, meaning there is high potential of infestation to any ripening berries remaining (see table below). A five to seven-day spray interval is recommended for ripening berry fields to prevent infestation of larvae in the fruit. This will probably be required for the rest of the harvest season.
Remember that keeping the field free of waste fruit can reduce drosophila numbers. All fruit should be chilled to 34 degrees F (or as close as possible) immediately after harvest to halt development of any eggs or larvae. Rotate pesticide products used regularly to prevent the possible development of resistance. Current information on registered pesticides for managing SWD is available in the New England Small Fruit Management Guide. The online version is free and can be viewed here:
https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/ne-small-fruit-management-guide
For more information on identifying spotted wing drosophila (SWD) and updates on populations around the state, visit our SWD blog at: https://extension.umaine.edu/highmoor/category/spotted-wing-drosophila/
Other IPM Web Pages
Michigan State University: http://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/invasive_species/spotted_wing_drosophila/
Penn State University: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-wing-drosophila-part-1-overview-and-identification
University of New Hampshire: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/spotted-wing-drosophila-ipm-weekly-scouting-reports
David T. Handley
Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist
Highmoor Farm Pest Management Unit
P.O. Box 179 17 Godfrey Drive
Monmouth, ME 04259 Orono, ME 04473
207.933.2100 1.800.287.0279
Where brand names or company names are used it is for the reader’s information. No endorsement is implied nor is any discrimination intended against other products with similar ingredients. Always consult product labels for rates, application instructions and safety precautions. Users of these products assume all associated risks.
The University of Maine is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
Spotted Wing Drosophila Weekly Trap Captures in Yeast/Vinegar traps
|
Town |
Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch 8/7/20 |
Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch 8/14/20 |
Spotted Wing Drosophila weekly trap catch 8/21/20 |
|
Wells |
4 |
36 |
107 |
|
Sanford |
135 |
42 |
424 |
|
Limington |
893 |
1188 |
1480 |
|
Limerick |
21 |
114 |
594 |
|
Cape Elizabeth |
31 |
101 |
3216 |
|
Bowdoinham |
1021 |
2440 |
2920 |
|
Mechanic Falls |
11 |
95 |
351 |
|
Monmouth |
61 |
2944 |
2480 |
|
Wayne |
661 |
No data |
920 |
—
Caitlin Ramsay, M.S.Ed
Administrative Specialist CL3
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Highmoor Farm
P.O. Box 179
52 US Route 202
Monmouth, Me 04259-0179
Pronouns: she/her/hers; Honorific: Ms.
Strengths: Woo / Positivity / Context / Restorative / Empathy
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will open for business on August 31, 2020, some county offices may have limited office hours or may still be working remotely. Please check in with your individual county office to determine their availability.(At this time, Highmoor Farm is still working remotely, stay tuned for updates regarding this.)
When we return, we welcome you to the office with a face mask and ask that you practice safe social distancing at all times. If you do not have a face mask, one will be available for you to have. If you are not feeling well or unable to wear a mask, please email me at caitlin.ramsay@maine.edu. We will determine how best to respond to your request. Thank you