Although progress has been made over the past eight years in our ability to manage spotted wing drosophila (SWD), it remains a serious economic problem for small fruit growers in New York and around the country. Cornell University researchers are in the process of applying for a large, multistate grant from the USDA that will support research and extension efforts to develop and implement more sustainable management practices.
The grant would bring needed funding to New York to increase adoption of management practices already tested, including the use of economic models to improve decision making, and evaluate alternative management approaches for SWD, such as the release of parasitoids from SWD’s native lands and manipulation of SWD behavior using attractants and repellents. The studies are being headed up by Dr. Miguel Gomez, agricultural economist, and Dr. Greg Loeb, small fruit entomologist, both at Cornell, working closely with Cornell Cooperative Extension and the NYSBGA, as well as several collaborating New York berry growers.
Dr. Gomez and Dr. Loeb need help in demonstrating to the USDA that SWD remains a serious problem. Please take a few minutes to fill out this very brief online survey on how spotted wing drosophila is affecting your business. Your three minutes can help us find ways to finally control this pest and halt crop losses.