Fruit and Vegetable News

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD)  Adult SWD captures remained high at most locations this past week; with captures at Forest Lake “exploding” to 1000 to 2000 SWD/trap (10-fold higher than last week). At Rosemount and Hastings, numbers increased to 200-300 SWD/trap. At all sites, summer raspberry is particularly vulnerable to attack at this time, and fall raspberry will soon be a concern as well. For these crops, high-tunnels fitted with fine nylon mesh continues to be the best management option. Where netting is not available, insecticidal protection will be necessary for most crops, since given the high numbers. For details on SWD trap numbers this past week, view the SWD page at the FruitEdge SWD page . SWD trap catch numbers are updated weekly (Tuesdays); comparisons are also available for 2018-2019.  SWD female (left), with close-up view of ovipositor (for egg-lay), and male (right) with characteristic dark spots on each wing (C. Guédot, Univ. of Wisconsin). As noted in previ...

Spotted wing Drosophila flies on a raspberry.  Photo: Charlie Rohwer. We have just released 2-episode series on our podcast, What's Killing My Kale . These two episodes discuss spotted wing drosophila (SWD), including organic management recommendations and the economics of managing SWD.  In  S eason 3 Episode 5  of What's Killing My Kale ,  Annie talked with Gigi Digiacomo, a research fellow in the Department of Applied Economics. They discussed Digiacomo's recent findings about how spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) has impacted the Minnesota berry industry, and weighed the economics of SWD management strategies.  In  S eason 3 Episode 6 ,  Annie talked with Dr. Mary Rogers, an Assistant Professor studying organic food production systems in the Department of Horticulture. They discussed recent research findings from Dr. Rogers team, as well as other farms and researchers around the country, about the best ways to manage spotted wing Drosoph...

Spotted wing drosophila damage on tart cherry. Photo: Annie Klodd In  S eason 3 Episode 5  of What's Killing My Kale,  Annie talked with Gigi Digiacomo, a research fellow in the Department of Applied Economics. They discussed Digiacomo's recent findings about how spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) has impacted the Minnesota berry industry, and weighed the economics of SWD management strategies.  You can listen to and download the episode here.   What's Killing my Kale is also available on Apple Podcasts and  FruitEdge . If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!

Spotted wing Drosophila on a raspberry. Photo: Charlie Rohwer, UMN In  S eason 3 Episode 6  of What's Killing My Kale,  Annie talked with Dr. Mary Rogers, an Assistant Professor studying organic food production systems in the Department of Horticulture. They discussed recent research findings from Dr. Rogers team, as well as other farms and researchers around the country, about the best ways to manage spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) organically.  You can listen to and download the episode here.   What's Killing my Kale is also available on Apple Podcasts and  FruitEdge . If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please leave a review on iTunes. As always, reach out and let us know if there are any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!