Spotted Wing Drosophila Emergency Meeting Aug. 26th
Ξ August 24th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ A Day at a Time, Interviews, Technology, Wine News |
The agricultural industry in California is working rapidly to meet the threat of a new fruit pest, the spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii). According to an August 24th posting by the Western Farm Press titled New Name For Cherry Pest, though recently discovered, the fly is already well established and has been found from San Diego to Humboldt counties, but also in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. It seems to have a preference for the cooler, more moist climes along the Pacific Coast.
After its initial discovery in cherries, the article points out the growing varieties of fruit where the fruit fly may now be found.
So far SWD has caused economic damage to sweet cherries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, Ollalieberries and in backyard Santa Rosa plums in the San Jose area.
Can grapes be far behind? University of California, Berkeley entomologist, Bob Van Steenwyck is quoted as saying:
“Will it damage grapes? That is the $64,000 question. I believe it will hit grapes as they start to sugar. I think, however, it will not be a problem in the Central Valley because it is too hot for suzukii. I think the problem will be in the cooler (wine grape producing) areas of the state. It likes cooler climates.”
And it is for this reason, as assorted fruit harvests and the grape Crush looms, that an SWD Emergency Meeting will be held in Watsonville, August 26th. In an email exchange, Mark Bolda describes the meeting as “the most complete presentation of SWD biology and management to date”.
The meeting will be an important opportunity to hear the latest research by Santa Cruz County UCCE Farm Advisor Mark Bolda, the lead writer of an important paper on the fruit fly pest published in early August, A New Pest In California: Spotted Wing Drosophila. It is an eye-opening read.
I contacted Mark Bolda with a series of questions.
Admin How long has this species been known to exist in California?
Mark Bolda Probably since 2006.
What might have been its origin?
MB SE Asia, common to Korea, Japan and Hawaii.
Is its appearance possibly associated with climate change?
MB I doubt it, it was brought in on produce, something that got around the various checks at ports of entry to California. It is best suited to the cool, moist climate of the west coast apparently.
Have there been any reports of damage to vitus vinifera, wine grapes?
MB There are some rumors, apparently the very first unconfirmed hit was on a wine grape out of Paso Robles in 2006. Martin Hauser I believe will discuss this when he comes to talk on Wednesday. No specimens were kept out of the Paso hit, however, so we didn’t pick them up again until a major infestation in berries here in Watsonville in the summer of 2008.
Along with producing multiple generations, how many eggs does it lay per fruit?
MB 1-2 eggs per fruit, 200-300 per female. Lots of traveling around. Multiple females will lay in the same fruit, so you can get infestations of up to 40 in a raspberry.
Can you point me to additional research?
MB Come to the meeting, and look at my blog (not the fancy title like yours, but nonetheless should be pretty informative).
Spotted Wing Drosophila Meeting
Reunión de Drosofila de Alas Manchadas
August 26, 2009/ 26 de agosto, 2009
University of California Cooperative Extension
1432 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, CA, 95076
9:00 Introduction/ Introducción
9:10 History and Management of Spotted Wing Drosophila in Santa Cruz County/
Historia y Manejo de Drosofila de Alas Manchadas en el Condado de Santa Cruz
Mark Bolda, UCCE, Santa Cruz County
10:00 Biology of Spotted Wing Drosophila/ Biología de Drosofila de Alas Manchadas
Dr. Martin Hauser, Diptera Specialist, CDFA
10:30 Close of Meeting
Because of the short lead time for this meeting, no continuing education hours will be available. For more information, contact Mark Bolda (831)-763-8040; 1432 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville, CA, 95076.
Please call ahead for arrangements of special needs; every effort will be made to accommodate full participation.
Spanish translation will be available.
END
For additional information also please see Another Exotic New Pest Threatens Variety of Crops published by the Cal. Farm Bureau Federation.
As I will be in attendance, I will post what is announced.
–8/30 Update has been posted.
10/13 Update has been posted.
Admin
