Minnesota Department of Agriculture confirms new fruit pest

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed a new fruit pest, the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), in Minnesota. SWD is an invasive pest of Asian origin that was first detected in California in 2008 and has since spread to several western and eastern states.

The first two detections of this pest in Minnesota were made by members of the public who reported the flies to the MDA. A homeowner from Hennepin County contacted MDA about flies found in a trap placed near a raspberry patch. Days later, MDA was contacted about an abundance of maggots in wild raspberries picked in Ramsey County. MDA followed up on both reports to confirm the identity of this new pest.

The SWD is a small fly, only 2-3 mm long, with yellow-brown coloration and red eyes. Male SWD have dark spots on the wing tips. SWD larvae are white with a cylindrical body that tapers on both ends.

SWD look similar to small fruit flies found on overripe bananas. However, SWD feed on healthy, ripening fruits, in particular, thin-skinned, soft fruits such as strawberries or blueberries.

Sometimes the symptoms don’t show until after the fruits are harvested or not until the fruits are in possession of consumers.

However, if you find an abundance of small, white maggots in what were apparently healthy fruits at the time of harvest, contact the MDA at 1-888-545-6684 (voicemail) or Arrest.the.

Pest@state.mn.us.

Tags: country, agriculture, gardening