What is the name of the bug found in raspberries? - briefly
The pest most frequently found in raspberry fruit is the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii. It attacks ripe berries by depositing eggs inside the fruit.
What is the name of the bug found in raspberries? - in detail
The pest most frequently detected inside raspberry fruit is the spotted‑wing drosophila, scientific name «Drosophila suzukii».
This species belongs to the family Drosophilidae and is native to Southeast Asia. It has spread to temperate regions worldwide, becoming a major concern for small‑fruit production. Adult flies are small (2–3 mm), with a distinctive brown spot on each wing. Females lay eggs in ripening berries, and larvae develop within the fruit, causing soft rot and premature drop.
Key aspects of its biology:
- Life cycle: Egg → three larval instars → puparium → adult; complete cycle can finish in 10–14 days under optimal temperatures (20–25 °C).
- Seasonality: Adults emerge in early spring, peak activity in summer, and may produce multiple generations per season.
- Damage symptoms: Small puncture marks on the skin, watery lesions, and a mushy interior; infested berries often fall to the ground.
Management recommendations:
- Monitoring: Deploy baited traps (e.g., apple cider vinegar with yeast) placed at canopy height; inspect weekly.
- Cultural controls: Remove fallen fruit promptly, maintain canopy hygiene, and apply netting to exclude adult flies.
- Chemical controls: Use approved insecticides (e.g., spinosad, cyantraniliprole) according to label timing, targeting adult activity before egg laying.
- Biological controls: Release parasitoid wasps (e.g., Trichopria drosophilae) and employ entomopathogenic nematodes in soil.
Understanding the taxonomy, life cycle, and damage patterns of «Drosophila suzukii» enables precise identification and effective mitigation in raspberry cultivation.