 |
|
Fruit fly pest identified in wine grapes
October 16, 2009CORVALLIS, Ore. - A newly recognized pest in Oregon continues to concern fruit growers and researchers with the recent discovery of a Spotted Wing Drosophila fly in a sample of Willamette Valley wine grapes.
Since the tiny fly, Drosophila suzukii, was first confirmed in Oregon less than two months ago, there have been an increasing number of reports of its occurrence in a variety of fresh fruits, including blueberries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, plums - and now grapes, according to Amy Dreves, a research entomologist at Oregon State University.
"This is an insect that, up to last year, had never been seen in the continental United States," Dreves said. "Now, suddenly, it is showing up in lots of places."
Losses to fruit crops have been significant in some places this year, according to OSU entomologist Vaughn Walton, who is working with Dreves and others on strategies to combat this invasive fruit fly. California lost about one-third of its cherry crop from Davis to Modesto. Willamette Valley peach growers were hit hard, especially in the late season, with losses up to 80 percent in some orchards. Crop losses up to 20 percent were seen in Oregon raspberries.
In early October, two blueberry fields were sampled, and one showed no damage at all while another had approximately 20 percent infestation (sampled and dissected approximately 400 berries at each site). "We have frozen samples from an infected blueberry field," Walton explained. "The berries were picked at different times, and we can dissect them to help determine times of the first infestations this season in Benton County."
New reports of its occurrence have been confirmed almost every week since OSU researchers first identified the fly in a sample of Oregon blueberries in August.
Dreves and Walton are now reporting that adult Spotted Wing Drosophila had emerged from wine grapes that had been collected in the northern Willamette Valley two weeks earlier. Also confirmed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture were flies emerging from infested red table grapes collected from the Willamette Valley.
At this stage, growers have not seen noticeable damage to harvested grapes, Dreves said, and the harvest of grapes is nearly complete in the Willamette Valley without signs of Spotted Winged Drosophila impact.
Dreves and Walton are part of a team of researchers from OSU, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon Department of Agriculture working to uncover the extent of infestation and to test methods for controlling its spread.
Their work is one part science, one part Extension, and one part detective work.
Native to Japan and parts of Southeast Asia, D. suzukii had been introduced into Hawaii in the 1980s and was first confirmed in Florida and California last year. Since August 2009, the fly has been reported throughout California, from Vancouver, Wash., to Abbotsford in British Columbia, and in 12 counties in Oregon.
"That's because we're looking for it now and this year's environmental conditions were right," said Dreves. Because the Drosophila fly larvae are small, shapeless and pale, Dreves and her colleague, OSU entomologist Vaughn Walton, culture suspicious larvae from sampled fruit to confirm the identity of the insect in adulthood.
Other research partners, in recent reports, suspect the fly has been found on pears in Oregon, Dreves said. What might be good news for Oregon is that D. suzukii, at least in Japan, only lays eggs in apples that are already damaged; apples seem not to be a primary host.
The Spotted Wing Drosophila is a close relative of the so-called "fruit or vinegar fly" associated with overripe bananas. That fly, Drosophila melanogaster, feeds on spoiled and rotting fruit and is the star attraction in high school biology classes when students learn about genetics and mutations. The spotted wing Drosophila fly, in contrast, infests fresh fruit, which presents a significant economic threat to fruit growers.
Discovery of the Spotted Wing Drosophila in wild Himalayan blackberries has the researchers worried. Despite the efforts growers will put toward cleaning their orchards of all left-over fruit, these feral areas could offer a refuge for overwintering populations of flies, according to Dreves. "We just don't know."
There's a lot that researchers don't know about this new invader, but they are learning fast. Dreves is scouring the scientific literature, going back to Japanese monographs from the 1930s to learn everything that is known about D. suzukii.
"In Japan, these flies are reported to reproduce up to 13 times in one season," she said, which suggests that the population could explode toward the end of the season, as seems to have happened this year.
According to reports, these flies thrive in cooler areas and are most active at temperatures of 68 degrees. Activity, longevity and egg-laying are said to decrease at temperatures above 86 degrees, although infestations have been found in warm parts of California and Florida.
Much of western Oregon's growing season would seem to favor conditions favored by these flies, which means that most of Oregon's berry crops could be at-risk during the growing season, according to Dreves. And because Oregon has a variety of crops that ripen at different times during the season, the spotted wing Drosophila fly could move from one crop to another as the season progresses, and populations could build up to high numbers in many crops.
On the other hand, the fly might be gone by next season, Walton said, pointing out the uncertainty associated with a new invasive species.
Planning for the worst, the OSU team is working with colleagues in the USDA Agricultural Research Service and ODA to develop management plans for this new pest in Oregon. They are sampling fruits at farmers' markets and receiving samples from growers and OSU Extension agents in the field to map the extent of the infestation. And they are testing baits to monitor population levels this fall. In small areas, it may be a possibility to lure flies away from vulnerable fruit by setting up traps.
For now, Dreves said, two principles are at the heart of controlling the fly regardless of crop. First, reduce the fly's breeding sites by immediately removing and disposing of the source - infested fruit. And monitor for the presence of adult flies before they lay eggs.
Signs of possible infestation include:
* Spotted Drosophila flies with a pale black spot at the leading edge of the wing (only the male flies of this species have this marking).
* Small puncture wound on hanging fruit, where female drilled in to lay her eggs.
* Soft fruit on plant, starting at puncture scar. Secondary decay can establish at this point.
* Small pale maggots in intact fruit on the plant.
Oregon State University
Losses to fruit crops have been significant in some places this year, according to OSU entomologist Vaughn Walton, who is working with Dreves and others on strategies to combat this invasive fruit fly. California lost about one-third of its cherry crop from Davis to Modesto. Willamette Valley peach growers were hit hard, especially in the late season, with losses up to 80 percent in some orchards. Crop losses up to 20 percent were seen in Oregon raspberries.
In early October, two blueberry fields were sampled, and one showed no damage at all while another had approximately 20 percent infestation (sampled and dissected approximately 400 berries at each site). "We have frozen samples from an infected blueberry field," Walton explained. "The berries were picked at different times, and we can dissect them to help determine times of the first infestations this season in Benton County."
New reports of its occurrence have been confirmed almost every week since OSU researchers first identified the fly in a sample of Oregon blueberries in August.
Dreves and Walton are now reporting that adult Spotted Wing Drosophila had emerged from wine grapes that had been collected in the northern Willamette Valley two weeks earlier. Also confirmed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture were flies emerging from infested red table grapes collected from the Willamette Valley.
At this stage, growers have not seen noticeable damage to harvested grapes, Dreves said, and the harvest of grapes is nearly complete in the Willamette Valley without signs of Spotted Winged Drosophila impact.
Dreves and Walton are part of a team of researchers from OSU, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon Department of Agriculture working to uncover the extent of infestation and to test methods for controlling its spread.
Their work is one part science, one part Extension, and one part detective work.
Native to Japan and parts of Southeast Asia, D. suzukii had been introduced into Hawaii in the 1980s and was first confirmed in Florida and California last year. Since August 2009, the fly has been reported throughout California, from Vancouver, Wash., to Abbotsford in British Columbia, and in 12 counties in Oregon.
"That's because we're looking for it now and this year's environmental conditions were right," said Dreves. Because the Drosophila fly larvae are small, shapeless and pale, Dreves and her colleague, OSU entomologist Vaughn Walton, culture suspicious larvae from sampled fruit to confirm the identity of the insect in adulthood.
Other research partners, in recent reports, suspect the fly has been found on pears in Oregon, Dreves said. What might be good news for Oregon is that D. suzukii, at least in Japan, only lays eggs in apples that are already damaged; apples seem not to be a primary host.
The Spotted Wing Drosophila is a close relative of the so-called "fruit or vinegar fly" associated with overripe bananas. That fly, Drosophila melanogaster, feeds on spoiled and rotting fruit and is the star attraction in high school biology classes when students learn about genetics and mutations. The spotted wing Drosophila fly, in contrast, infests fresh fruit, which presents a significant economic threat to fruit growers.
Discovery of the Spotted Wing Drosophila in wild Himalayan blackberries has the researchers worried. Despite the efforts growers will put toward cleaning their orchards of all left-over fruit, these feral areas could offer a refuge for overwintering populations of flies, according to Dreves. "We just don't know."
There's a lot that researchers don't know about this new invader, but they are learning fast. Dreves is scouring the scientific literature, going back to Japanese monographs from the 1930s to learn everything that is known about D. suzukii.
"In Japan, these flies are reported to reproduce up to 13 times in one season," she said, which suggests that the population could explode toward the end of the season, as seems to have happened this year.
According to reports, these flies thrive in cooler areas and are most active at temperatures of 68 degrees. Activity, longevity and egg-laying are said to decrease at temperatures above 86 degrees, although infestations have been found in warm parts of California and Florida.
Much of western Oregon's growing season would seem to favor conditions favored by these flies, which means that most of Oregon's berry crops could be at-risk during the growing season, according to Dreves. And because Oregon has a variety of crops that ripen at different times during the season, the spotted wing Drosophila fly could move from one crop to another as the season progresses, and populations could build up to high numbers in many crops.
On the other hand, the fly might be gone by next season, Walton said, pointing out the uncertainty associated with a new invasive species.
Planning for the worst, the OSU team is working with colleagues in the USDA Agricultural Research Service and ODA to develop management plans for this new pest in Oregon. They are sampling fruits at farmers' markets and receiving samples from growers and OSU Extension agents in the field to map the extent of the infestation. And they are testing baits to monitor population levels this fall. In small areas, it may be a possibility to lure flies away from vulnerable fruit by setting up traps.
For now, Dreves said, two principles are at the heart of controlling the fly regardless of crop. First, reduce the fly's breeding sites by immediately removing and disposing of the source - infested fruit. And monitor for the presence of adult flies before they lay eggs.
Signs of possible infestation include:
* Spotted Drosophila flies with a pale black spot at the leading edge of the wing (only the male flies of this species have this marking).
* Small puncture wound on hanging fruit, where female drilled in to lay her eggs.
* Soft fruit on plant, starting at puncture scar. Secondary decay can establish at this point.
* Small pale maggots in intact fruit on the plant.
Oregon State University
Drosophila Current Events and Drosophila News RSSSchizophrenia gene's role may be broader, more potent, than thought
UCSF scientists studying nerve cells in fruit flies have uncovered a new function for a gene whose human equivalent may play a critical role in schizophrenia.
Deciphering the regulatory code
Embryonic development is like a well-organised building project, with the embryo's DNA serving as the blueprint from which all construction details are derived.
UM Scientists Create Fruit Fly Model to Help Unravel Genetics of Human Diabetes
As rates of obesity, diabetes, and related disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the US in recent years, scientists are working from many angles to pinpoint the causes and contributing factors involved in this public health crisis.
Circadian surprise: A heat sensor for body-clock synchronization
New research on the fruit-fly brain points to a possible mechanism by which temperature influences the body clock, according to scientists from Queen Mary, University of London.
Researchers discover mechanism that prevents two species from reproducing
Cornell researchers have discovered a genetic mechanism in fruit flies that prevents two closely related species from reproducing, a finding that offers clues to how species evolve.
A solution to Darwin's 'mystery of the mysteries' emerges from the dark matter of the genome
Biological species are often defined on the basis of reproductive isolation. Ever since Darwin pointed out his difficulty in explaining why crosses between two species often yield sterile or inviable progeny (for instance, mules emerging from a cross between a horse and a donkey), biologists have struggled with this question.
A balancing act in Parkinson's disease: Phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein
Both genetic and pathologic data indicate a role for the neuronal protein alpha-synuclein in Parkinson disease.
Reactive oxygen in fruit flies acts as a cell signalling mechanism for immune response
For years, health conscious people have been taking antioxidants to reduce the levels of reactive oxygen in their blood and prevent the DNA damage done by free radicals, which are the result of oxidative stress. But could excessive use of antioxidants deplete our immune systems?
Pesky fruit flies learn from experienced females: Study
A common household nuisance, the fruit fly, is capable of intricate social learning much like that used by humans, according to new research from McMaster University.
New Insights Into Cardiac Aging
Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) have found that the conserved protein d4eBP modulates cardiac aging in Drosophila (fruit flies).
More Drosophila Current Events and Drosophila News Articles
 |
Drosophila: A Laboratory Handbook by Michael A. (Author), M.D. Ashburn (Author), Kent G. Golic (Author), R. Scott Hawley (Author) The second edition of the highly successful "grey book" Drosophila: A Laboratory Handbook, first published in 1989, has been completely updated to reflect advances in techniques and knowledge. The original format is maintained, providing a handy reference guide to most aspects of the biology of Drosophila. Each of the thirty–six chapters summarizes the present state of the subject, written with a historical perspective, but with an emphasis on the practical use of genetic and other methods. Extensively referenced. |
 |
Drosophila: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology) by Christian Dahmann (Editor) "Drosophila" is a comprehensive collection of methods and protocols for Drosphila, one of the oldest and most commonly used model organisms in modern biology. The text presents a diverse set of techniques that range from the basic handling of flies to more complex applications, such as the generation of mutants by homologous recombination and the analysis of developing flies by live imaging. Review chapters provide concise overviews of selected experimental systems. Drosophila is the perfect reference manual for Drosphila researchers. The straightforward presentation of Drosophila protocols will bolster successful experimental design and lead to reproducible results, and the troubleshooting tips are an invaluable aid for researchers at all levels. "Drosophila" will advance the use of... |
 |
Biology of Drosophila by M. Demerec (Editor) |
 |
SpringStar - Fruit Fly Lures by SpringStar This fruit fly lure is designed for use in SpringStar fruit fly traps. The food grade ingredients are safe to use and very effective at attracting fruit flies. |
 |
Lords of the Fly: Drosophila Genetics and the Experimental Life by Robert E. Kohler (Author) The common fruit fly, Drosophila, has long been one of the most productive of all laboratory animals. From 1910 to 1940, the center of Drosophila culture in America was the school of Thomas Hunt Morgan and his students Alfred Sturtevant and Calvin Bridges. They first created "standard" flies through inbreeding and by organizing a network for exchanging stocks of flies that spread their practices around the world. In Lords of the Fly, Robert E. Kohler argues that fly laboratories are a special kind of ecological niche in which the wild fruit fly is transformed into an artificial animal with a distinctive natural history. He shows that the fly was essentially a laboratory tool whose startling productivity opened many new lines of genetic research. Kohler also explores the moral... |
|
Applied Scientific Drosophila Supplies: Petri Dishes; 60 x 15mm; Vented by Parter Medical Products Dishes, Disposable Petri; Applied Scientific; Vented, Flat, Uniform thickness; Sterile; 60 dia. x 15mmH | |
 |
Pastilha Efervescente by Drosophila Second album of the quartet formed by Ana Luiza Pimentel (vocal and guitar), Elaine Jardim (bass), Rodrigo Palmieri (drums and vocal) and AndrZ Dias (guitar). Drosophila is a vigorous power pop with influences of Breeders, Pixies and Pave |
 |
Biologix Drosophila Bottles, Tray Pack, 200/cs by Biologix Research Features of the Biologix Drosophila Bottles: Made of high quality polypropylene with good visibility. The bottle capacity is 6 oz (177ml) with dimensions of 57L x 57W x 103mmH. Square Bottom, Disposable, and Autoclavable. Graduations are molded. The product referenced on this detail page is sold be 200/cs. |
 |
Determined Drosophila Hoodie (dark) by CafePress |
 |
Drosophila Sun Project (Primary Contributor) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |