Spotted Wing Drosophila, a well-known pest that infests ripe, ready-to-eat fruit, poses a significant threat to farmers because it is very difficult to control with standard pesticides. A new approach to tackling this pest involves manipulating the behavior of these insects by disguising healthy fruit as if it were infected with an unappealing pathogen.
By studying the specific odors emitted by infected fruit, researchers have identified the chemicals that repel the flies when applied to healthy fruit and are developing a slow-release device to disperse these fruity odors in the field, ensuring that they do not come into direct contact with the fruit. This method provides a new tool to help farmers protect their crops without relying exclusively on insecticides.
Source: USDA
Image: USDA
12 Jul 2024
"Protecting plants is very important. That's why we wanted to try the Protecta® net," say Michele and his father Giuseppe De Tomaso, of the De Tomaso farm in Polignano a Mare, Bari (IT), experimenting on 100 square metres with the Arrigoni Spa dense-meshed net.
28 Aug 2024
China's cherry production will increase by 6% in the 2024/25 season, reaching 850,000 tonnes. However, imports are expected to increase to 420,000 tonnes this season, mainly due to marketing efforts by exporting countries.
18 Jun 2026
France’s 2026 cherry production has been revised down after hail in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, weak demand and early Spanish competition. Prices remain under pressure while Europe expects a solid harvest, with Italy recovering and trends in Occitania and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
18 Jun 2026
A Canadian study on Carmine Jewel sour cherries highlights how red and blue LEDs affect postharvest storage, increasing polyphenols, anthocyanins and vitamin C, improving fruit color and nutritional value for the fresh market, while weight loss remains a key factor to manage.
