Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is an invasive fruit fly that attacks soft fruit, including berries and cherry.  The larvae damage ripening fruit.

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Appearance:

  • Adults are fruit flies 1/12 to 1/8 inch long, with red eyes and single spots on the wing (male) or unspotted wing (female)

  • Larvae are tiny (1/8 inch long) white maggots with a cylindrical body that tapers on one end

Damage:

  • The larvae feed within the ripening fruits causing brown, sunken areas.

  • Infested fruit often develop a fermented or a sour smell

  • Fruit softens and then rots

Timing:

  • Adults first appear during late June or early July

  • The numbers increase rapidly during the middle of summer, with the populations peaking in August

  • Eggs are laid on fruit as it ripens

Treatment:

  • Remove old, infected or damaged fruit to reduce Spotted Wing Drosophila food resources.

  • Prune plants to allow for air movement

  • Monitor using traps (instructions in the link below).

  • Refrigerate or process fruit after harvest

  • According to studies, the insecticide Spinosad is effective and has the least negative environmental effects of currently available products.


Sources: Patrick L. Byers, Horticulture Specialist and Michael Phillips, “The Holistic Orchard”