Aug 26, 2011

New pest has growers and exporters on edge

Cooperative Extension Agent Mike Bush hunches over the table, peering through a magnifier at seven tiny, black specks. Collected from a plastic trap holding a mixture of vinegar and soap, the specks are fruit flies.

But none of them on this recent morning are from the species that everyone in the soft fruit, berry and grape industries is looking for: Spotted wing drosophila (pronounced druh-SOFF-uh-luh).

It’s the newest pest to hit the Northwest and one that researchers, field representatives and growers want to find out much more about. The Yakima Herald

Read more of the story here.