Spotted Wing Drosophila
in Ontario
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is an invasive vinegar fly of Asian
origin that has the potential to cause extensive damage to many
fruit crops. It was first identified in North America in 2008 (California).
Subsequent field surveys in 2009 have resulted in additional finds
in Florida, Oregon, Washington, North and South Carolina, Utah,
and British Columbia. National surveys conducted by the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) detected SWD in traps collected from
Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta this past year.
In early November (2010), the CFIA collected SWD flies from a trap
located in a residential area of the Niagara region, Ontario. SWD
may have been introduced through the fresh fruit pathway on imported
fruit from infested areas. Because of the distribution and potential
for movement in infested fruit, it is not possible to regulate SWD.
So far, SWD larvae have not been found in fruit crops in Ontario,
but based on patterns of introduction, establishment and spread
observed in other affected areas, growers should be prepared for
its appearance in the field in 2011. Early detection and rapid response
are critical for successful management of this pest.
