USDA: odour research could solve the fight against Drosophila suzukii

29 Aug 2024
2013

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


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

112 million boxes: Chilean cherry aims at a new record

Markets

06 Sep 2024

The Chilean cherry industry continues to position itself in the global market. Early estimates for the 2024-25 season predict around 112 million boxes exported, but this projection brings several challenges that the industry must overcome to fully take advantage of this scenario.

The new cherry cold hardiness model on AgWeatherNet as beta version

Tech management

25 Feb 2025

Predicting sweet cherry hardiness is crucial for frost management, as early spring development makes them vulnerable to late frosts.

In evidenza

Measuring rather than estimating: what artificial intelligence can and cannot do in the cherry sector

Tech management

11 Sep 2026

Artificial intelligence is transforming fruit growing in Chile: computer vision, machine learning and data help measure quality, yields and waste, reduce errors and improve decisions from the orchard to packing lines and export markets, including cherries and other fruit crops.

First report of pomes virus Greece in Italian sweet cherry

Breeding

11 Sep 2026

In Apulia, HTS identified Pomes virus Greece (PVGR) in sweet cherry for the first time in Italy. The virus was detected in 8.7% of the samples analysed, while one case of Cherry green ring mottle virus also marks the first regional report of CGRMV in southern Italy.

Tag Popolari