SWD home

Welcome to MSU’s
Spotted Wing Drosophila site

This site contains information and links for growers and homeowners about a new invasive pest in Michigan, the Spotted Wing Drosophila.

Background
The Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is a vinegar fly of East Asian origin that can cause damage to many fruit crops. This small insect has been in Hawaii since the 1980s, was detected in California in 2008, spread through the West Coast last year, and was detected in Florida, Utah, the Carolinas and Michigan for the first time in 2010. Because the flies are only a few millimeters long and cannot fly very far, natural dispersion between states is unlikely. Human-assisted transportation is a more likely cause of the recent rapid spread.

What crops are affected?
In other regions, SWD has been reported in most berry crops, grapes, cherries and many other tree fruits, with a preference for softer-fleshed fruit.

Status in Michigan
In fall 2010, SWD was detected in Michigan for the first time as part of a widespread Early Detection and Rapid Response program. SWD flies were detected in 13 counties in the southern part of the state, and only after fruit harvest. In 2011 there is widespread monitoring underway for this pest in susceptible fruit crops and nearby habitats.

What is being done?
Because of these first detections it is important that growers and others with susceptible fruit are aware of this pest and know how to manage it. A SWD Response Team has been formed that combines the expertise of MSU entomologists, horticulturalists, Extension educators, and Michigan Department of Agriculture staff. This website will be the central location for dissemination of information about this insect. Check back for updates.

Managing SWD
We are confident that the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs available for SWD control can be implemented to enable continued harvest of high-quality crops. See our fact sheets for English and Spanish information on monitoring for this pest, and recommendations for management in blueberry (June 2011).

Important links
1) Fact sheet from MSU. Now in Spanish, too.
2) First season experiences with SWD in Michigan (December 2011 pdf) - Rufus Isaacs, Noel Hahn, Steve Van Timmerence, Keith Mason, howard Russell.
3) SWD Information from Oregon State University
4) A key for identifying SWD

Funding for the SWD Response Team
The SWD Response Team is funded by Project GREEEN and the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

Above, a male Spotted Wing Drosophila fly.