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Noncrop Host Plants of Spotted Wing Drosophila in North America

Amy Dreves, Jana Lee, Linda Brewer, Rufus Isaacs, Greg Loeb and, Howard Thistlewood (April, 2015)

Summary

Landscapes surrounding fruit production fields often include hedgerows, adjacent field margins, and woody or riparian areas with ornamentals, unmanaged shrubs, vines, or other plants that also produce fruits. Noncrop habitats can meet the requirements that favor Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) adults and their natural enemies: food, shelter, shade, and humidity. In addition, many noncrop fruits can support developing larvae of SWD. As populations of SWD build in noncrop hosts, these areas can become “hot spots” from which SWD can move into fields as commercial fruits begin to ripen. In some regions, these plants may be more important in post-crop dynamics by providing opportunities for late season population buildup.