Location: Horticultural Crops Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-22000-040-014-G
Project Type: Grant
Start Date: Sep 1, 2017
End Date: Sep 30, 2019
Objective:
Evaluate the impact of covered tunnels on Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) pest pressure.
Approach:
Work will be conducted on blueberry (‘Liberty’) and blackberry (‘Chester’) plants located inside and outside multi-bay high tunnels in commercial blueberry and blackberry fields. We will measure microhabitat conditions in plant canopies in both covered tunnels and open fields, and assess the effect on oviposition and development of SWD. Additionally, we will compare the effect of open-sided and completely closed tunnels. These data will allow us to determine whether exclusion or unsuitable environments have a greater impact on the control of SWD. Pesticide degradation will be also quantified in these environments.
