1. Insect
  2. Tree Fruit Crops
  3. Plum and Prune Pests

Plum and prune-Spotted-wing drosophila

  • Facebook logo

Spotted wing drosphila larva in prune

M. R. Bush, WA State University

Drosophila suzukii

For pest description, crop damage, biology, life history, sampling and cultural management

See:

Spotted-wing Drosophila: An Emerging Berry and Stone Fruit Pest

Management-chemical control

Field research on chemical control of spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) continues under Washington and Oregon growing conditions. The best spray programs start as the fruit begins to show color and continue every 7 to 10 days through harvest. We recommend that applicators note the preharvest interval (PHI) for the chemical product selected. This spray program can start at first fly catch using a number of commercial traps designed specifically for SWD.

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-This product has been shown to provide about 25% control of SWD. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • kaolin-Applied as a spray to leaves, stems, and fruit, it acts as a repellant to some insect pests. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • pyrethrins-These products provide about 80% control of SWD but have no residual activity. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • spinosad-This product generally provides 100% control and 5-7 days residual activity. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • zeta-cypermethrin

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

Growing-season spray

  • diazinon (Diazinon 50W) at 3 to 4 lb/A. REI 4 days. PHI 21 days. Do not apply more than 4 lb product or 6 gal oil per acre per year. Do not exceed one in-season foliar application per growing season.
  • imidacloprid (Prey 1.6 F, Nuprid 1.6F) at 4 to 8 fl oz/A. REI 12 hr. PHI 7 days.
  • lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II) at 1.28 to 2.56 fl oz/A. REI 24 hr. PHI 14 days. May disrupt beneficial mite populations. Extremely toxic to fish; avoid spray drift and surface runoff.
  • phosmet (Imidan 70W) at 2.13 to 4.25 lb/A. REI 7 days. PHI 14 days. Mechanical harvest permitted after 7 days post application.
  • spinetoram (Delegate WG) at 4.5 to 7 oz/A. REI 4 hr. PHI 1 day.
  • spinosad (Entrust SC) at 4 to 8 fl oz/A. REI 4 hr. PHI 1 day. Results are best when applied at petal fall. May act slowly. OMRI-listed for organic use.