Spotted Wing Drosophila

(Drosophila suzukii)

in the
Southern Interior Valleys
of British Columbia

April 2011

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is an aggressive pest of stone

fruits, berries, table grapes and perhaps wine grapes. SWD has
been controlled in other commercial fruit growing areas and
with diligent area wide control measures B.C. growers also have
the ability to control this pest.

SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA A

 Acknowledgment
This publication has been produced by
the Okanagan Kootenay Cherry Growers
Association, the field staff of the Okanagan
Tree Fruit Cooperative and B.C. Ministry of
Agriculture. We wish to acknowledge assistance
from the following people:

Dr. Peter Shearer, Oregon State University

Dr. Bob Van Steenwyk, University of California

Hugh Philip, HG Philip IPM Consulting

Service

Funding for this publication was provided by

a grant from the Agricultural Environment &
Table of Contents
Wildlife Fund and the Okanagan Kootenay
Cherry Growers Association.
Identification ....................................... 1

Hosts ..................................................... 2

Life Cycle .............................................. 2

Damage ................................................ 3

Sugar or Salt Test for Larvae ............... 4

Trapping ............................................... 5

Sanitation ............................................ 6

Chemical Control ................................. 6

Further Information ............ Back Cover

Contact ................................. Back Cover

Disclaimer
Spotted wing drosophila is a new insect pest in the Pacific Northwest, having arrived in California
in 2008. Although there has been an immediate response from researchers and growers in California,
Oregon, Washington and B.C. there is much to learn and control recommendations will change as
new information becomes available. This booklet is our attempt to outline what is currently known as
of April, 2011. We urge you to read this carefully and to consult, on an ongoing and regular basis, the
sources listed on the back page of this publication.

B SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA

Identification
Adults: in summer, tan coloured flies with Eggs: white, oval with two filaments at one
red eyes, about 2-3 mm (1/8 inch) long. end, 0.6 mm long (Figure 4).
Overwintering forms are darker. Males have
Larvae: white, maggot-like and up to 4 mm
a single black spot on the outer edge of each
long at maturity (Figure 5).
wing (Figure 1). Females do not have spots on
their wings but have large saw-like ovipositors Pupae: brown, football-shaped, two stalks with
(for egg laying) (Figure 2). A microscope is small finger-like projections on one end, 3 mm
needed to identify females. Cherry fruit fly long (Figures 6).
adults are bigger (about 5 mm long) than
Refer to http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/
spotted wing drosophila and have banding
swd_identification.pdf for additional
patterns on their wings (Figure 3).
information on characteristics of this pest.

Figure 1. Spotted Wing Drosophila Figure 2. Spotted Wing Drosophila Figure 3. Top, Spotted wing
Adult Male with wing spots. Adult Female. Inset shows ovipositor. drosophila adult; Bottom, Cherry fruit
fly adult, note banding patterns on
wings.

Figure 4. Spotted wing drosophila Figure 5. Spotted wing drosophila Figure 6. Spotted wing drosophila
egg. larva on cherry. pupa.

SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA 1

 Hosts Life Cycle
Crops affected by Spotted wing drosophila: Spotted wing drosophila overwinter as adult
flies. Adults emerge in the spring and lay eggs
Cherries Table Grapes
in ripening fruit. Egg-laying lasts 10-59 days,
Peaches Blueberries
with 7-16 eggs laid per day. Each female can
Nectarines Raspberries
lay about 384 eggs during her lifetime. Eggs
Apricots Blackberries
hatch in 12-72 hours, larvae mature in 3-13
Plums Boysenberries
days, and pupae reside in fruit or outside
Prunes Strawberries
of fruit for 4-15 days. In the laboratory at
Asian Pears Cold Hardy Kiwi
constant temperature, one generation takes 50
SWD’s effect on wine grapes is not currently days at 12°C, 21-25 days at 15°C, 19 days at
known, but research is ongoing. 18°C, 8.5 days at 25°C and 7 days at 28°C.
Adults will feed on dropped and decaying
SWD has also been found in the following
fruit.
non-crop hosts:
Oregon Grape Black Currant
Blue Elderberry Mulberry
Research on susceptible hosts is ongoing and
this list is expected to increase over time.

Figure 7. Spotted wing drosophila life cycle.

2 SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA

Damage
Females lay eggs under the skin of ripening
fruit. Larvae hatch and begin to feed within
the fruit causing softening in the area of
feeding. There can be several larvae in a fruit
which hastens softening and fruit collapse.
Holes the size of pin pricks from the females’
egg laying activities are evident within the
soft areas of infested fruit (Figure 8). Besides
contamination with larvae, these oviposition
holes provide entry points for diseases such as
brown rot and botrytis.
Not all drosophila larvae found in fruit are
spotted wing drosophila. Other drosophila
species will lay eggs in damaged fruit and
drosophila larva cannot be identified to
species. Larvae have to be reared out to
adults to confirm spotted wing drosophila.

Figure 8. Spotted wing drosophila damage to peach and

cherry, note egg laying scars (arrows). Some infested
cherry fruit will NOT have the damage signs shown below.

SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA 3

 Sugar or Salt Test for Larvae
A sugar or salt test can be used to check for the
presence of larvae in the fruit at harvest. For
the sugar test, make a solution using ¼ cup
sugar to 4 cups water (large batches use 17 kg
per 100 Liters of water). The resulting solution
should have a brix reading of at least 15. If less
than 15 then add more sugar. Lightly crush Figure 9. Drosophila larva has projections at ends.
fruit sample in a container or plastic zip-lock
bag to break the skins and add the sugar
solution. Wait for about 10 minutes. Any
larvae in the sample will float to the surface. A
magnifying glass might be needed to find the
larvae as the first instars may only be 1 mm
long. Cherry fruit fly, leafroller, cherry fruit
worm and sap beetle larvae will also be found if
present in the sample being tested (Figures 9,
10, 11 & 12).
Figure 10. Cherry fruit fly larvae have posterior blunt
For the salt test, dissolve 1/4 cup table salt in 4 ends.
cups of warm water (use 0.25 kg per 4 Liters of
water for large batches). Place uncrushed fruit
in a shallow container, cover with salt solution
and wait for 10 – 15 minutes for larvae to
come out of infested fruit.

Figure 11. Mature Cherry fruit worm caterpillar, young

caterpillars are white.

Figure 12. Oblique banded leafroller larva..

4 SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA

Trapping
Spotted wing drosophila adults can be of Agriculture staff or the Packing House for
monitored with apple cider vinegar baited assistance with fly identification.
traps. Traps can be made from deli cups with
Work done in Oregon and replicated in the
4-5 holes drilled (use a 3/16 inch drill) on
Similkameen indicates that black and red
one side of the container to allow flies to
coloured traps may be more attractive than
enter. Holes shouldn’t be too big or other large
clear ones. Research trials from Oregon also
insects can get in (Figure 13). Deli cup traps
indicate that a combination of apple cider
can be purchased from Growers Supply Co.
vinegar and red wine is more attractive to
Ltd. You can also use commercial vinegar/
spotted wing drosophila adults. Use 2 parts
fruit fly traps (Figure 14). Add about 1½
pure apple cider vinegar to 3 parts red wine
inch (4 cm) pure apple cider vinegar to the
(alcohol content of red wine should be 12% or
trap and hang near fruit level in a shady area.
more) (Todd Adams, Oregon Department of
Replace apple cider vinegar once a week and
Agriculture and Dr. Peter Landolt, Yakima
look for male flies (black spots on wings) in
Agricultural Research Service).
apple cider solution. Do not dump the old
apple cider solution on the ground as this will Traps are a useful indicator of spotted wing
attract more flies into the orchard. Check traps drosophila presence but are not a reliable
for both female and male flies in the spring measure of population pressure in an
as overwintered females outnumber males. individual block. Infected fruit have been
Use a magnifying glass or hand lens to help occasionally found prior to trap captures. As
identify male flies. A microscope is needed for long as SWD have been found in the area of
the identification of female flies. Identification your block control sprays will have to be
keys are available at the Ministry of Agriculture applied.
website: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/
swd_identification.pdf. Contact B.C. Ministry

Figure 13. Apple cider vinegar trap. Yellow sticky tape not required. Figure 14. Contech fruit fly trap.

SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA 5

 Sanitation Chemical Control
Research on effectiveness of sanitation When planning spray programs consider the
in control of spotted wing drosophila is following:
underway, however we do know that SWD
• Start control programs when SWD has
populations can build up quickly and the
been found in your area (not just your
larger the population of an insect, the greater
block) and the fruit has started to turn
the risk of damage. It is recommended that
colour.
growers and packers apply the following
sanitation practices to help minimize the build • Maintain continuous coverage right
up of spotted wing drosophila population: through harvest.
• Pick crops clean. Try not to leave any fruit • Alternate pesticides. This will reduce the
in the orchard after harvest. risk of resistance development and reduce
the risk of exceeding Maximum Residue
• Be aware of alternate hosts. They may
Limits (MRL).
have to be removed or the crop picked
unripe. • Rain will reduce efficacy of most
pesticides. Reapply after heavy rains or
• Use postharvest sprays immediately after
shorten spray intervals after light rains.
harvest, particularly on cherries or berries
that are difficult to pick clean. • The population size of SWD increases
all summer long, so that risk of damage
• Manage cull fruit daily by one of the
increases with late harvested crops.
following methods:
• Fruit becomes increasingly more
– Bury fruit to a depth of more than 12
susceptible to SWD attack as it ripens.
inches.
• SWD attacks a wide range of hosts, but
– Seal fruit in plastic bags.
some hosts seem to be more attractive to
– Solarize fruit by sealing in plastic bags SWD. Cherries and berries seem to be
or cover cull piles with plastic and seal more attractive than peaches, which seem
the edges and allow to heat in the sun to be more attractive than wine grapes.
for a week.
• Check MRL’s of the market you are
• It might help to mow the orchard floor shipping into.
immediately after harvest to destroy fruit
• Read pesticide labels before use.
on the ground that may be host to SWD.
Most SWD control sprays also control cherry
Products registered in Canada for use on
fruit fly, but not all cherry fruit fly sprays
cull piles are Dibrom (naled), Prelude
control SWD. The following tables have been
(permethrin) and Dragnet (permethrin).
compiled to assist growers in making spray
These products have not yet been tested on
material decisions.
SWD.

6 SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA

 Emergency use registrations for spotted wing drosophila control on stone fruit and grapes in British Columbia
(Registrations are valid from June 1, 2011 until November 30, 2011).
Check MRL requirements for countries that your cherries may be shipped to.
Trade Name Group Registered Rate Maximum Pre-harvest Worker Further Information on SWD Control
(active Crop Number Interval (days) Re-
ingredient) of Sprays entry

Delegate WG 5 Stone fruit 420 g/ha 3 5 (cherry) 12h Label spray intervals are 7 days for stone fruit

SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA

(spinetoram) (170 3 (peach, nectarine and 5 days for grapes. Some indication it may
g/acre) plum, apricot, prune) be effective longer than 7 days for SWD.1
Grape 280 g/ha 3 4 12 h Mortality 82-96%.2 Also controls leafrollers
(113 and cherry fruit fly.
g/acre)
Entrust 80 W 5 Stone fruit 109 g/ha 3 5 (cherry) 12 h Label spray interval is 5 days, but may only be
(spinosad) (44 g/acre) 3 (peach, plum, effective for 3 days.1 Mortality 95-100%.2
nectarine, apricot, Entrust is allowed in organic production. Also
prune) controls leafrollers and cherry fruit fly.
Grape 109 g 3 4 12 h -
(44 g/acre) 17 days
Malathion 85 1B Stone fruit 610- 2 3 12 h Label spray interval is 7 - 14 days, which
E 855 mL/ should be effective for SWD.1 Mortality 84-
(malathion) 1000 L 100%.2 Also controls aphids. Pre-harvest
water Interval is 3 days for aphids. SWD rate will
Grape 880 mL/ 1 3 12 h - 2 probably not control cherry fruit fly. May
1000 L days cause leaf drop or fruit finish problems on
water cherries, particularly when hot, or in lower
water volumes. More effective over 20°C.
Ripcord 400 3 Stone fruit1 150-175 2 2 *24 h; Label spray interval is 7 days, but shorter (3-5
EC mL/ha 4 days days) when temperatures are over 25⁰C.
(cypermethrin) (61-71 (cherry Mortality 80-93%2 (based on other pyrethroids
mL/acre) thinning) tested). May cause mite flare-ups. Will not
Grape 150 mL/ha 2 7 *24 h control leafrollers, but should control cherry
(61 fruit fly.
mL/acre)
1
Dr. Bob Van Steenwyk - University of California June 2011
2

7
Dr. Peter Shearer - Oregon State University. See figure 15 for efficacy trial results from Oregon State University.
* Re-entry required by Worksafe BC (WCB)
8
The products below are not registered for spotted wing drosophila (SWD) control in Canada, but are registered on crops listed for other
insects.
Trade Name
Registered Max. # Pre-harvest interval
(active Group Worker Re-entry Further Information
Crop Sprays (days)
ingredient)
7
(Cherry, Plum)
Success 480 SC 5 Stone fruit 3 dry Same active ingredient as Entrust, although this
14
(spinosad) (Peach, Nectarine, Apricot) product is not registered for SWD.

5 Grapes 3 7 dry to 15 days

Cherry,
1B Apricot, Plums, 10 24 h*
Prunes Not tested, but other organophosphates effective on
Diazinon 50 W
SWD. Label spray interval 10 days, but may be
(diazinon) 1B Peach 20 24 h* effective on SWD for less than 10 days.
1B Grape 16 24 h*

Admire 240 FL/ Peach, Not effective on SWD adults (mortality 5-34%),
4 2 7 24 h
Alias 240 SC Nectarine see figure 15. Testing underway on SWD larva, but
(imidacloprid) 4 Cherry 5 10 24 h currently not recommended.

12 h (except 6 days Not very effective on SWD adults (mortality 28-57%),

Assail 70 WP 4 Stone fruit 4 7
thinning) see figure 15. Testing underway on SWD larva, but
(acetamiprid)
4 Grape 2 7 12 h - 13 days currently not recommended.

2 (4kg/ha
1B Peach, Apricot 21 14 d
Guthion 50 per year) Not tested, but other organophosphates effective on
WP / Sniper 50 2 (4kg/ha SWD. Suggested spray interval 10 days. Last date of
WP (azinphos- 1B Cherry 15 15 d use for any azinphos-methyl product is December 31,
per year)
methyl) 2012.
1B Grape 2 28 28 d
Zolone Flo Not tested, but other organophosphates effective on
1B Cherry 3 14 14 d
(phosalone) SWD.
Not tested on SWD. Some indication it may be
Cygon 480 EC
effective on SWD larva but adult mortality unknown.
/ Lagon 480 E 1B Cherry 1 21 24 h*
Phytotoxic to some cherry varieties, particularly
(dimethoate )
Lapins.

SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA

April 2011
 Trade Name
Registered Max. # Pre-harvest interval
(active Group Worker Re-entry Further Information
Crop Sprays (days)
ingredient)

1A Cherry 2 24 h* Not recommended for SWD. Has not been very

Sevin XLR
effective on SWD when used for cherry fruit fly close
(carbaryl)
Grape 5 24 h* to harvest.
GF-120
5 Cherry 0 dry Not effective on SWD.
(spinosad)

SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA

1B Cherry, Plum 3 24 h* This formulation is registered for aphids, not for
Malathion
SWD. Should not cause as much leaf drop or fruit
25 WP
finish problems as the 85E formulation. See
(malathion) Peach 7
Malathion 85E for other precautions.
*Worker re-entry interval: an asterisk (*) indicates that no re-entry is shown on the label, but the WorkSafe BC re-entry interval may apply and is shown.
April 2011

Notes:
Product names in Canada in brackets: Provado
(Admire), Warrior (Matador). Matador is a
synthetic pyrethroid insecticide. Cyaxypyr is
not registered in Canada.

Figure 15. Mortality of adult SWD after being placed on fruit and leaves collected from treated trees.

9
 Further information

B.C. Ministry of Agriculture:

http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/swd.htm

Oregon State University:

http://swd.hort.oregonstate.edu/

Washington State University:

http://extension.wsu.edu/swd/Pages/default.
aspx

California: UC IPM on line:

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/
r105400311.html

Okanagan Cherry Growers Association:

http://www.bccherry.com/

Contact Photo credits

Cover: B.C. Ministry of Agriculture.
Susanna Acheampong Figures 1& 2: Sheila Fitzpatrick, Agriculture & Agri-Food
Canada, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agassiz.
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture Figures 3, 4, 5 & 6: Brigitte Rozema & Howard Thistlewood,
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-Food Research
200-1690 Powick Road Centre, Summerland.

Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 7G5 Figure 7: Adult female, Brigitte Rozema & Howard
Thistlewood, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-
Food Research Centre, Summerland; three larval instars,
Phone: (250) 861-7230 Beverly S. Gerdeman, WSU Northwestern Washington
Research and Extension Center; Egg and pupae, B.C. Ministry
of Agriculture.
Figure 8: B.C. Ministry of Agriculture.
Figures 9 & 10: Betsy Beers, Washington State University.
Figures 11,12,13 & 14: B.C. Ministry of Agriculture.
Figure 15: Peter Shearer, Oregon State University.

10 SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA