Live Report From Great Lakes Expo In Grand Rapids

Michigan’s fruit growers can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for the moment. Despite the increasing pressure of invasive pests such as the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) and spotted wing drosophila (SWD) in many parts of the country, entomologists speaking at this week’s Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market Expo in Grand Rapids, MI, say growers do not appear to be in any immediate danger.

Although BMSB has been detected in Michigan, it is showing up in very low populations right now, says Michigan State University (MSU) entomologist Anne Nielson. In fact, tests using black light traps (one of the most notable monitoring methods used in high-population areas around Pennsylvania and Maryland) yielded no detections in 2011. Moreover, Nielson suspects given the state’s climate, it is likely the BMSB would only produce one generation per season.

SWD has been found in higher populations, including some key fruit growing regions. The good news, according to MSU entomologist Larry Gut, is that detected flies have been found late in the season, around August and September, which would put them past the point of damage during harvest of the most susceptible crops such as cherries, small fruit, and early peach varieties. In addition, many of the insecticides used to control the more seasonal cherry fruit fly have also shown to be effective against SWD.

However, researchers in the state are certainly not backing down their efforts. Statewide detection and trapping programs have been set up for both pests, and spray guides are being developed in the event that either pest becomes more than just nuisance.

To keep tabs on the progress of either of these pests, check out MSU’s Fruit IPM page at http://www.ipm.msu.edu/fruit.htm.