New pest threat to berry crops

AREA — Growers of raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches and other soft-skinned fruit, should know a new pest threatens crops.

The spotted wing Drosophila is a new type of fruit fly that attacks ripening fruit while still on the plant, resulting in larvae-infested mature fruit. “This pest is a game-changer,” says David Handley, Small Fruit specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

To help both backyard and commercial growers learn about this pest and what can be done to minimize damage, David Handley will present the latest data on the fruit fly at the South Paris Extension office on Tuesday, February 12 at 6 p.m.

There is no cost to participate, but pre-registration is requested by calling the Extension office at 743-6329 or emailing Lesley Quick, Administrative Assistant at lesley.quick@maine.edu.