Managing Spotted wing drosophila and cherry fruit fly in the ripening cherry crop

Jun 21, 2018

Spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) populations usually start to soar in late-July, after the majority of the tart cherry crop is harvested. In 2017, numbers rose quickly, reaching levels much higher than normal by the time cherries started to colour. This resulted in massive crop losses due to severe infestation of cherries.

We have been monitoring spotted wing drosophila across Ontario since late May.

We have switched from apple cider vinegar to commercial lures as shown in the image below. Traps were established in berry crops and nearby cherry orchards. Consultants and OMAFRA staff have been sending samples in for counts. As of June 20, one fly had been found in one tart cherry orchard. We are expanding our trapping this week into more cherry orchards as they start to turn colour

The flies are attracted to fruit as it starts to lose its green ground colour and continue to be attracted to them through harvest. SWD eggs are laid under the skin of ripening fruit. The larvae that hatch from the eggs then feed within the fruit.

The click on the link below for the table showing the products that are registered for SWD in cherries and their relative activity vs both SWD and cherry fruit fly. If a product is not listed, it may have activity against cherry fruit fly but not SWD. A higher number for relative activity indicates a more effective product. It is recommended that you rotate among modes of action for both pests to minimize the risk of resistance development..

Cherry fruit fly and SWD insecticides

Source : ONfruit

Video: A Farm Song (Busy) | Parody of A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey

Lyrics:

My days begin with workin’, Alarm’s at 5 o’clock,
I Fill 5 gallon buckets, The feeders and the troughs,
This five to nine ain’t workin’, why the heck do I work so hard?,
I can’t worry ‘bout health problems, I can sleep in when I’m gone,

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

I’ve been working pretty stressed but,
I ain’t changing for some cash,
Lord knows that I’m very blessed (More chores),
But I gotta say it’s hard,
Workin’ outside gettin’ charred,
Living out here on the farm, (more chores)

One, here comes the two to the three to the four,
Tell em’ ‘buy another cow, we need plenty more’,
Blue jeans are gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history
There’s another 20 chickens that still need feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Everybody on the farm getting’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,

Fun, here on ranch that’s what you can’t ignore,
Might be pretty hard but I love it to its core,
Flannel’s gettin’ dirty, what else could I ask for,
Oh my, more chores (Tell ‘em sing with me)

Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
There’s another flock of sheep that still needs feed,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Someone pour me up another shot of sweet tea,
They know me and working hard’s got a history,
Watching cattle in the dark, don’t miss me,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
(Yeeeeeehaw)
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
Everybody on the farm gettin’ busy,
It’s the best bro, go get yourself a farm