The U of I Extension service held a public workshop this past Monday for fruit growers, and one of the topics was how to control a small, non-native fruit fly which can cause heavy damage. According to the Extension Service, the Spotted-Wing Fruit Fly, is native to east Asia and was first detected in the United States in 2008. And, four years later, was confirmed in Illinois. U of I Extension Specialist Bronwyn Aly says this looks much like the common fruit fly that we see in our kitchens. This non-native fruit fly, however, has a small, saw-like appendage which the female uses to lay eggs in fruits like Blueberries, Strawberries, grapes and other similar fruits. Aly recommends a rigorous spraying program, done at night, when bees and other pollinators are not active. Gardeners and growers should also make sure and not let fruit get overripe on the plants, and pick up and discard of any fruit lying on the ground.
For more information visit: http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=520
