Insects and Spiders - invasive

Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) on Jul 17, 2010

Originally reported as Blueberry Maggot (Rhagoletis mendax)

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

Small, white, maggot worms inside the ripened fruit of all of our berries. We also grow grapes, plums, and apples - which may also be attacked this year as well.

Commentary

Amy, please see the response from ODA's entomologist, Jim LaBonte:

Blueberry maggot, Rhagoletis mendax, only attack blueberries and related plants, such as huckleberries. Oregon Department of Agriculture has trapped for blueberry maggot several times recently and not found it in Oregon nor has it been reported elsewhere in the West. The description of the the fruits attacked perfectly fits the spotted wing Drosopphila, Drosophila suzukii. I am certain that is what is attacking the fruit. Oregon State University's website on this insect has the most recent recommendations for control of this new exotic pest - http://swd.hort.oregonstate.edu/gardeners

Lisa DeBruyckere
July 19, 2010, 12:52 a.m.

I've been doing the research on this pest, and it is indeed the dreaded Drosophila suzukii - you were right on. I visited my local nursery up the street today to purchase some pest control, and took a look at their raspberry plants they had for sale. They were also infested. I let an employee know and he seemed shocked. He said they would call their wholesaler and talk to them.
Is there any harm in eating them? We had consumed pounds of the infested berries before we realized the problem. . . Thank you for your help!

Reporter
July 22, 2010, 1:35 p.m.

Amy, to my knowledge, there are no documented cases of people getting sick from eating fruit flies.

Lisa DeBruyckere
July 27, 2010, 1:40 a.m.