Jul 9, 2015

MSU: Spotted wing drosophila, brown marmorated stink bug report

This is the fourth weekly report of the Michigan State University Extension spotted wing drosophila (SWD) monitoring network. A total of six females and seven males were captured from six out of more than 130 traps being monitored as part of the network. Traps with SWD found in them this week were set up in blueberries in Allegan County, strawberries in Ottawa County, tart cherries in Berrien County, grapes in Ingham County and sweet cherries in Antrim and Livingston counties. Other trap lines not part of this network are also reporting detectible levels of SWD in southwest counties. Growers and field scouts should be on the lookout in susceptible crops that are beginning to ripen.

Traps in the network are baited with Trece lures and placed near susceptible crops and wild hosts in each of the major fruit growing regions across the state. Commercial plantings include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, tart and sweet cherries, peaches and plums. Wild hosts in the trapping network include autumn olives, black cherries, pin cherries, choke cherries, blackberries, honeysuckle, mulberries, and wild grapes.

For instructions on how to construct your own traps and use them for monitoring for SWD, please visit the MSU Spotted Wing Drosophila website.

Brown marmorated stink bug

This is the first weekly report of the Michigan State University Extension brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) monitoring network. More than 60 traps were set up last week near crops that would be favored by this pest including apples, stone fruits (peaches, plums, sweet and tart cherries), blueberries, grapes, strawberries and a variety of vegetable crops. Several urban locations where BSMB were reported last year are also being monitored.

Based on what is currently known about the biology of BMSB and its favored non-crop habitats, sites have been selected that are adjacent to riparian habitats, woodland, soybean fields, major transportation corridors or various combinations of these attributes. Counties being monitored in 2015 are Allegan, Antrim, Benzie, Berrien, Clare, Grand Traverse, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Lapeer, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Oceana, Ottawa and Van Buren.

Most of the traps in the network are the pyramid style with a large, clear container on top baited with a green two-component lure.

To learn more about how to monitor for the brown marmorated stink bug, distinguish it from other similar-looking stink bugs, what crops it favors, and management strategies should populations reach the threshold where management is necessary, visit MSU’s Brown Marmorated Stink Bug website.

— By Julianna Wilson, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Entomology