Spotted-wing drosophila

Drosophila suzukii poses a serious threat to soft and orchard fruit - causing losses of up to 100%.

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Characteristics

  • Eggs laid under soft skin of unripe fruit – eggs are small transparent and glossy 
  • Larvae (3-4mm) are white and cylindrical while pupae are reddish-brown
  • Adult flies (2-3mm) are yellow-brown with striped abdomen and red eyes
  • Male flies have spotted wings, while females have a long, serrated ovipostior
  • Eggs are laid inside fruits, making control difficult, prevention is best

Life cycle

  • Females deposit 2 to 3 eggs at a time – producing up to 300 eggs in total
  • Egg to adult take 1 to 2 weeks
  • Prefers temperature around 20°C/68°F – but tolerates 0°C/32°F to 30°C/86°F
  • Adults live 3 to 9 weeks
  • Drosophilasuzukii can hibernate – but not in areas with milder climate
  • Rapid population development – produces 10 to 13 generations a year

Damage caused

  • Females make small scars on fruits when laying eggs
  • Tissue around scar softens and collapses forming lesion
  • Fluids from lesion attract pests and diseases – such as D. melanogaster and Botrytis
  • High risk of damage – from mid-spring till late fall
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