On 1 Jul 2017 13:09:26 GMT, David wrote:
On Fri, 30 Jun 2017 18:28:13 +0100, Bob Hobden wrote:

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD)

We now have this on our allotment and it has destroyed our crop of
Cherries (4 trees). Flys onto and lays eggs in the ripening fruit
resulting in tiny little white maggots and usually rotting of the fruit.
First noticed in UK in 2012 and first reported to RHS Wisley Advice
centre in 2015. Not much can be done against it, clear up all rotting
fruit and use traps (£20+ for 2) to see when it's around and spray with
insecticide but seems that isn't that effective.

Plants affected so far are...
Raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, hybrid berries, all currants,
blueberries, gooseberries, grapes, cherries, plums, peaches and
nectarines, apricots, and Tomatoes.


The RHS site makes pretty grim reading.

Given the number of wild fruit trees around here, including sloes,
cherries and mirabelles it seems that any infestation would be very hard
to control.

Another invader from Asia, apparently.

cough Sent home after Brexit? /cough

Just another disease propagated by the global transport of plant material.

Cheers


It's those and that it attacks blackberries, I mean they are everywhere
around here. Why have we not heard about this pest, can't say I've seen
any information on it which is why I had to spend some time on the net
getting info. Perhaps the professional fruit growers have been warned,
but why not all gardeners. Mind you, it may well damage sales of fruit
trees and things like strawberry plants. We simply cannot eat our
cherries, the thought that even the non rotten ones probably contain
tiny maggots isn't pleasant.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden