In order to help maintain a chemical-free environment at the ranch, we monitored local insect populations by checking 40 vinegar traps positioned around the blueberry crops next to our study site each week. Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) are a non-native fruit fly that attack ripe fruit with a serrated ovipositor that is used to lay their eggs under the fruit’s skin. The larvae hatch and grow within the fruit, leading to bacteria growth and fruit rot, making it no longer commercially valuable.
Luckily, we did not observe any SWD throughout our study. WWR currently does not need to be worried about this fruit fly, but should continue to monitor for it.
