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Managing Spotted Wing Drosophila in Florida Blueberries

Oscar Liburd, , andDoug Phillips


Release Date: 5/3/2026

DOI: 10.32473/EDIS-IN1475-2026

Agriculture

Abstract

Since its first detection in 2009, spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is common in all of Florida’s fruit-producing counties. Surveys indicate that SWD are active year-round in Florida’s warm climate, with peak activity from April to May when the blueberry harvest is highest. Although this is a significant pest of blueberries in Florida, with good cultural practices, proper monitoring, and appropriate pesticide applications it can be successfully managed. This publication is intended to be used as a resource for Florida blueberry growers to successfully identify and manage SWD.

About this Publication

This document is ENY-2136, one of a series of the UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology. Original publication date April 2026. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.© 2026 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

How to Cite

Liburd, O. E., Lambert, A. R., & Phillips, D. (2026). Managing Spotted Wing Drosophila in Florida Blueberries. EDIS, 2026(3). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in1475-2026

Authors

Oscar Liburd
Oscar Liburd
Specialist
University of Florida

professor, agricultural pest management, UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology, Gainesville, FL

Arden Lambert
Arden Lambert

research assistant, UF/IFAS Small Fruit and Vegetable Integrated Pest Management Lab

 

Doug Phillips
Doug Phillips
staff
University of Florida

Extension specialist, blueberry Extension coordinator, Department of Horticultural Sciences, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Wimauma, FL

Publication #ENY-2136

Peer Reviewed
Commercial

Disclaimers

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.