Prepare your pest management schedules now for 2018 berry season

May 16, 2018

There are multiple strategies for growers to manage spotted wing drosophila this season. It is important to integrate as many of these practices into a management plan as possible to effectively manage this pest.

Prepare your pest management schedules now for 2018 berry season

Erica Pate, Fruit Crop Specialist

Hannah Fraser, Entomology- Horticulture

We have learned a lot about spotted wing drosophila (SWD) over the past few years, ever since this invasive pest came to Ontario. There is still more to learn, and one thing we don’t know is when this pest will arrive in 2018. In 2017 SWD arrived in Ontario 2-3 weeks earlier than previous years. It is hard to predict what will happen this season, but it is important that growers monitor for SWD early this year, beginning in early June, and are prepared to manage SWD, including management for early-fruiting berry crops. If SWD is identified on your farm or in your area, and there is ripe fruit present, it is time to start control.

There are many parts of the SWD management puzzle. Chemical options are not the only solution. Incorporate the following practices to help manage SWD before harvest begins and reduce pressure during harvest:

Harvest early, clean and often. Harvesting every day or two will make a big difference in controlling SWD. Remove unmarketable fruit as pickers move through the field. If there is ripe fruit in your field this is host for SWD.

Ground cover management. Black weed mats or fabric in between raspberry rows will radiate heat and reduce the humidity, reducing the ideal conditions for SWD. The weed mats will also limit the ability of the pupae to burrow into the soil and leave them vulnerable to natural predators.

Ensure thorough spray coverage. Most registered insecticides are targeting the adult life stage, so it is important that the insecticides reach the adults in the canopy. Spray when adults are most active in the crop, from 6:00-10:00 am and 6-10:00 pm. Prune the canopy to achieve better coverage as well as reducing the favourable environment for SWD inside the canopy, who prefer humid, shaded and cool areas. Slow down and spray every row to ensure thorough coverage.

Maintain spray coverage. Begin to use insecticides once SWD is identified in your area and there is ripe fruit on your farm. Reapply insecticides every 5-7 days, and re-apply after a rain. It is important to use products from different groups rather than use on product or group of products repeatedly. There are five registered insecticides for SWD. Two emergency use registrations have been submitted and will hopefully be available to growers this season. Stay tuned for more information.

Cold storage after harvest. Cool fruit as quickly as possible postharvest and maintain cold storage through all stages of marketing. Temperatures below 2oC will slow development of SWD and a high percentage of eggs and larvae will be killed in cold storage.

Source : ONfruit
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