The objective for this project is to evaluate the efficacy of attracticidal spheres against the invasive spotted wing drosophila (SWD) in raspberry and blueberry plantings.
We will evaluate two key factors: 1) attracticidal sphere density and 2) deployment strategy to balance both performance and cost. The first treatment, the control, will consist of a small fruit plot managed using standard grower practices. Other treatments will include small fruit plots protected by attracticidal spheres deployed at a: 1) high density (one sphere/plant) and at the top of each plant to maximize visual apparency; 2) high density and in the lower 1/3 of the canopy of each plant to maximize interception of foraging flies (preliminary data indicate a preference for foraging in the lower parts of the plant); 3) low density (one sphere/three plants) and at the top of each plant; and 4) low density and in the lower 1/3 of the canopy of each plant.