Location: Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-30400-001-015-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2026
End Date: Dec 31, 2029
Objective:
The proposed research addresses Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research priorities related to spotted-wing drosophila management in Blackberry, blueberry, red/black raspberry, strawberry and new specialty crops. Objective 1 is to improve toxicant choice used in Attract & Kill formulations. Objective 2 is to refine A&K in-season spray strategies.
Approach:
For objective 1, cooperators will conduct semi-field trials at the experimental farm on ‘Duke’ and ‘Elliott’ blueberries over three seasons. Each 14-day trial will include 10 treatments: (1) untreated control; (2) attract-and-kill (A&K) + organic pesticide; (3) A&K + conventional pesticide; (4–5) two newer conventional products (e.g., Greenlight, ProFarm); (6–7) two proprietary sugar-based A&K formulations that enhance SWD attraction and mortality; (8–9) A&K with organosilicone surfactants (Sylcoat, Dyne-Amic); and (10) a grower standard. Trials will use a randomized complete block design with eight replications. Each plot will include three treated bushes plus a buffer, with data collected from the center bush. Applications will occur on days 1 and 7 at label rates. Residual activity will be assessed by placing two organza bags over berries for 8 hours, 2 days, and 5 days after each spray. Ten mated female D. suzukii will be introduced per bag for 24 hours. Oviposition will be measured by egg counts. This will be repeated across six sampling dates. Efficacy will be compared to the grower standard. Canopy-level temperature and humidity will be recorded to evaluate environmental effects.
For objective 2, they will conduct large-scale trials with growers at two high-SWD sites in the Willamette Valley. Plots (2–2.5 acres) will include four treatments: standard A&K (A&K-S), refined A&K (A&K-R), buffer, and grower standard. A&K treatments will use Combi-Protec (1 lb/acre) + spinosad (0.6 oz/acre, 1/10 standard rate) applied by drone (~5 gal/acre), replacing conventional full-cover sprays (50–70 gal/acre). Buffer and grower standard plots will receive Entrust (6 oz/acre). Plots will be adjacent with buffer rows. A&K-S will follow the 2024–2025 pattern. A&K-R will apply the same total rate using fewer passes and alternating spatial coverage to reduce cost, time, and non-target exposure while maintaining efficacy. Applications (~4 per season) will depend on pest pressure. SWD infestation will be monitored twice weekly (July–September) by collecting 120 berries per plot (20 berries sampled at multiple points). Pre-treatment samples will establish baseline infestation. Data will be shared biweekly with growers to support IPM decisions.