Hands-on Teaching: Identifying and Monitoring SWD Adults and Larvae

The larvae and adults of the small vinegar fly, Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, can be difficult to identify and distinguish from other insects. Correct identification is necessary for estimating prevalence of this important pest in fruit crops and for making management decisions. A hands-on education session will facilitate communication to the audience and provide essential skills in adult and larval identification and monitoring of SWD. Work stations will teach the audience about recognizing symptoms on fruit, extracting larvae from infested fruit and identifying male and female adults. These skills are crucial to students, technicians, extension agents, and faculty that do research, consult and work in any aspect related to small and stone fruit crops.