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Since its emergence in California and other temperate growing regions in 2008, Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) has established itself as a primary pest within the berry system. SWD threatens a range of economically important crops, including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and cherries. SWD's ability to lay eggs in near-ripe fruit differentiates it from other common fruit flies, which can only lay eggs into decaying fruit. This attack on market-ready produce causes substantial crop losses and presents challenges in maintaining fruit quality and meeting market standards.
Challenges Associated with Spotted Wing Drosophila Management in Berries
Traditional control methods for managing spotted wing drosophila in berry crops include frequent insecticide applications throughout the growing season. While chemical pest management is just one of several integrated pest management (IPM) tactics, it is heavily relied upon by growers. However, these applications present significant operational challenges from both a logistical and regulatory perspective.
Spray treatment timings often conflict with crop production activities, such as sanitation, due to restrictive Re-Entry Intervals (REIs) that regulate when workers can safely re-enter treated fields. Similarly, insecticide Pre-Harvest Intervals (PHIs) put constraints on the amount of time available for workers to harvest fruit because they must wait for residues to clear. There are additional concerns regarding Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) on fruit because these thresholds dictate whether a commodity is accepted for export.
The brevity of berry growing seasons creates limited time windows for management activities. With some fruit growing cycles spanning just 10-12 weeks, growers must prioritize pest management early in the season. Many berry growers report applying insecticides on a weekly basis, and due to the limited availability of effective control options for spotted wing drosophila, the same chemistries tend to be utilized repeatedly. This not only weakens their effect on the pest over time, but also accelerates the development of long-term resistance in pest populations.
BioMagnet™ Ruby Provides Effortless Control of Spotted Wing Drosophila
Our team has dedicated extensive time in the field collaborating with key stakeholders from the berry industry to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges associated with spotted wing drosophila management. After years of meticulous product engineering and rigorous in field testing, we are proud to introduce BioMagnet Ruby. BioMagnet Ruby is a revolutionary attract-and-kill device for effective control of SWD in the berry production system.
A companion article provides the specific benefits to berry growers. Suterra’s product information page also provides additional details for growers seeking to reduce damage from this invasive species.
For questions related to Spotted Wing Drosophila or BioMagnet Ruby, contact our team here.