End Consumer Resources
SWD (Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii) is the main pest of small fruit crops in the Pacific Northwest. With a thorough understanding of its risk factors and behavior, effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies can nearly eliminate economic crop loss and damage.
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) causes crop damage by laying its eggs inside ripe fruit and when larvae emerge, they feed upon the inside of the fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the standard approach for managing pests in small fruit farms.
How does Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) affect the fresh fruit?
Similar to Botrytis Fruit Rot, SWD may cause premature fruit decay, shortening the integrity of fruit if stored for longer term. However, updated cooling and sorting technology sorts out nearly all potentially compromised fruit before final fruit is packaged and sold.
How does SWD affect frozen fruit or otherwise processed fruit?
After initial processing which includes kill steps such as cooling, heating, and sorting, the remaining fruit is free of foreign contaminants. The final product is quality controlled to ensure no adverse fruit effects.
When are spray programs involved in the management decision making?
Any applications are based on safety standards as indicated by all labeled products. All products also have a maximum residue allowance that is followed carefully. Washing fruit before consumption removes most residue that might remain on product.
What food safety measures are in place?
Any farm that sells through processor or marketer almost always has Primus or GAP certifications.
Are there any adverse health concerns associated with SWD contamination?
No, SWD is not linked to any food borne illness or other health concerns.
How do you keep your farm sustainable?
Using an IPM approach and post harvest tools to quickly cool fruit while following good sanitation practices and technology to sort out soft or lower quality fruit before packing.
If I eat berries, am I eating larvae?
YES! However, the likelihood of end use fruit making it through the sort out process with a insect or disease concern is very, very low with all the current sort out/processing technology used prior to sale.
If I buy berries from a store/market, are they covered in pesticides from trying to control SWD?
Organic and conventional pesticides are only one tool in the management toolbox. See how growers and processors have used 15 years of research and technology improvements manage SWD in a holistic, sustainable way.
Quality Standard Resources
Any post harvest fruit handling always has keeping the fruit the best quality as possible which includes cooling immediately to keep firmness and integrity as long as possible, handling the fruit carefully and screening it thoroughly through the process before it arrives in the consumers hands.
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is a major pest affecting small fruit crops in the Pacific Northwest.
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Additional SWD Resources
SWD IPM Information
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