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
20 Oct 2025
The OPTIMISTII project, led by INRAE, offers an innovative biological approach to tackle Drosophila suzukii in European cherry orchards by combining male sterilization techniques to reduce pest reproduction and minimize the use of chemical pesticides in fruit production.
02 Oct 2024
Calcium is not very mobile throughout the plant. The lack of transport capacity makes it difficult to reach the growing fruits. Another issue is that Calcium follows the water flow through the xylem, which means that its absorption is closely tied to transpiration capacity.
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Rainfall in south-central Chile is raising the risk of fungal and bacterial diseases in orchards. INIA Quilamapu warns that cherry, blueberry, pome fruit and grapevine crops are vulnerable, highlighting monitoring, preventive measures and the removal of infected timber.
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