BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 13, 2020
This summer, pest experts are warning of a spotted wing drosophila population explosion in the making that should have home gardeners and commercial berry growers concerned. Unlike the common fruit fly drosophila, which is considered a simple nuisance, the spotted wing destroys ripening berry crops, including high bush blueberries, late summer raspberries, everbearing raspberries and strawberries. Once the fruit is picked, it should immediately be refrigerated to at least 34-degrees Fahrenheit to halt the development of any eggs or larvae already in the berries.