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
23 Jan 2025
Cherries are widely considered a luxury fruit. Nationally, cherries are a favorite fruit for holidays. Internationally, markets in China, Japan, and South Korea lead significant demand, particularly during Lunar New Year and other cultural celebrations.
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The 2024/25 season revealed serious quality issues in Chilean cherries, with high rejection rates in China. Expert Patricio Morales urges consistent orchard discipline, bigger fruit sizes and smarter management to stay competitive in demanding global markets.
07 May 2026
The 2026 cherry season in the Pacific Northwest starts with forecasts between 19.5 and 21.5 million boxes. Lower output than the 2025 record, an early harvest and closer coordination with California define a key phase for the USA cherry market trends.
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In Turkey, research from Firat University shows how computer vision, deep learning and machine learning can classify cherry ripening stages with accuracy above 95%, helping improve harvest timing, fruit quality and production chain management in orchards.
