Spotted Wing Drosophila on Mulberry

Invasive vinegar fly that attacks ripening soft fruit, unlike native Drosophila species which target overripe fruit.

Signs on mulberry

• Soft sunken spots on fruit
• Larvae in apparently sound fruit
• Rapid fruit collapse near harvest

Controls

• Vinegar/yeast traps for monitoring
• Cold storage of harvested fruit
• Frequent harvest
• Targeted sprays during oviposition window