By Clint Thompson
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) remains a threat to Georgia blueberry production. If growers stray from their spray programs, it could have devastating results, believes Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist.
“Some growers, if they don’t see populations or don’t see activity in the field, especially when the weather is hot and dry, (they think) these flies are not active in the field. They think we don’t have SWD,” Sial said. “If they don’t take any action or stay off the programs, then comes rainy weather with lots of humidity and heat, these flies come out and make havoc.
“It is recommended that if you’re growing blueberries, you have to spray until you get through the whole season. Otherwise you run the risk.”
Sial said multiple insecticides are available and are recommended against the pest. He added that SWD is active year-round, thriving when temperatures are relatively low with high humidity.
“When we have blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries in the field, we trap them all the time in the field. When they’re not in the field, the flies are in the wooded areas on wild hosts,” Sial said. “We have documented several species of wild hosts that these flies can feed on and live off of in the offseason. They’re not going away. They’re still in the wooded areas and waiting until food becomes available.”