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
21 May 2025
Northwest USA cherry growers forecast a 2025 harvest of 213,800 tons, exceeding the three-year average. New funding supports trade negotiations, with optimism growing for the Chinese market after a tariff agreement that could ease export restrictions and boost demand.
08 Apr 2025
X-disease is threatening Oregon’s cherry orchards, reducing fruit quality and profits. OSU Extension supports growers through research, bilingual education, and preventive strategies to safeguard cherry crops and protect the region’s agricultural economy.
01 Sep 2026
In the United States, a low-cost mobile system using RGB-D cameras, deep learning and digital odometry automatically measures sour cherry trunk diameter, geolocates individual trees and creates spatial maps to support precision orchard management at commercial scale.
01 Sep 2026
ExpoCerezos 2026 makes its Curicó, Chile, presentations available online, covering new cherry varieties, orchard management, productivity, quality and markets. Five technical reports examine field results, current challenges and future prospects for the cherry industry.
