Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD)

Damage

Female flies lay eggs in ripening fruit. Larvae feed within the fruit, turning the flesh brown, soft, and leaky. Damage can provide an entry site for infection by secondary diseases. This injury results in unmarketable fruit and economic loss.

Insect

SWD look similar to other vinegar flies. Adult flies are 2-3 mm in length, with red eyes, tan-colored body with darker bands on abdomen. Males have characteristic single spots on each of its wings along the 1st vein and two dark combs on their front legs. Females lack wing spots and leg combs, but are distinguished by a robust, saw-toothed ovipositor (visible under magnification). Larvae are white, and legless, as are all Drosophila larvae.