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BC Blueberry Council For Consumers
  1. About the BC Blueberry Council
  2. Resources
  3. Pest and Disease Identification
  4. Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD)

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD)

The spotted wing drosophila is a small fly that can cause significant damage in berry and tree fruit crops.

Check out the Ministry of Agriculture's SWD Pest Alert page for more information.

 

    SWD insect
    SWD larvae on blueberry fruit

    Identification

    Adult flies are brown, 2-3 mm long with red eyes and clear fly-like wings. Male flies have black spots on the end of each wing. Females have no spots but have a saw-like egg laying device (ovipositor) which enables them to cut into fruit and lay eggs inside.

     

    Life Cycle

    Spotted wing drosophila overwinters as adult flies. In spring, flies become active, mate and lay eggs in ripening fruit. A generation can take 8-21 days, depending on temperature. Up to 4 generations per year are expected in British Columbia.

     

    Hosts

    Numerous crops can be infested with SWD, including blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, cherry, peach, and grape. Alternate non-crop hosts can include blackberry, other berries, and seedling cherry.

     

    Damage

    Unlike most small flies which infest decaying fruit, SWD females lay their eggs inside ripe fruit before harvest. Larvae hatch and begin to feed within the fruit, causing softening and fruit collapse. Contaminated fruit is unmarketable.

     

    Management / Cultural Control:

    • Alternate hosts near crop fields should be controlled or mowed to prevent fruiting.
    • Remove or bury cull fruit. Keep equipment and processing areas free of old fruit.
    • Good field care: decreases humidity in the field with adequate pruning and weed control.
    • Be aware of host plants in adjacent fields and encourage neighbours to manage SWD.
    • Overripe fruit is more likely to be infested with SWD. Pick early, clean and often.

    Resources

    Pest and Disease Identification

    Bird Management
    Godronia Canker
    Scorch Virus
    Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD)
    Voles

    Blueberry Field Guide

    Environmental Farm Plan

    eLearning

    Good Agricultural Practices

    Financial Assistance

    COVID-19 Resources

    COVID-19 Financial Assistance

    About BC Blueberry Council

    The mission of the British Columbia Blueberry Council is to enhance the viability and strategic development of the blueberry industry through promotion, research, industry education and relationship building.

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    V2T 1W5
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    Tel: 604 864 2117
    info@bcblueberry.com

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