Spotted Wing Drosophila Control in Tart Cherries, 2014 *

This trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of several rates and timings of various insecticides against Diptera pests in Tart Cherry. Single-tree plots were established in an 19-yr-old “Montmorency” cherry planting (15 by 20 ft spacing) at the Trevor Nichols Research Center in Fennville, MI (Tart Cherry 4). Treatment plots were replicated four times and set up in an RCB design. Applications began 30 June at first capture of SWD in traps and were reapplied on 7-d covers until 25 July. Test materials were applied with an FMC 1029 airblast sprayer calibrated to deliver 100 gpa at 2.5 mph. In addition, foliar maintenance applications of Bravo Ultrix, Kocide, Topsin, Indar, Bravo Weather Stik, Luna Sensation, Adament, Orbit, Rally, and Gem were applied as covers across the entire block. Fusilade was banded below the trees for weed control.

Fruit was hand harvested on 24 July, and samples were weighed in pounds. The fruit samples were then evaluated using the Washington State Department of Agriculture brown sugar method as follows. Cherries were crushed in a solution with the ratio of 7 pounds brown sugar to 5 gal water. The larvae were allowed to float and were subsequently counted. DFF were collected and reared to determine percent SWD. Due to differences in sample sizes, data are presented as pupae per pound of fruit. All data were analyzed using analysis of variance and means separation by Tukey’s HSD at P  = 0.05.

Imidan, Grandevo (3 lb rate), Movento, Cyclaniliprole, Exirel (16 oz rate), Exirel + MonteryBait, Exirel + MonteryBait + Sugar, and MonteryBait treatments all significantly reduced SWD fruit infestation.

Author notes