It Takes a Village: Our Continued Efforts to Manage Invasive Species in the U.S.
Invasive species are a perpetual threat to U.S. agriculture, natural resources, and public health, and we're seemingly inundated with new ones every time you open the news. Is progress possible, or are we destined to spin on an invasive species hamster wheel?
The State of Integrated Pest Management for Spotted-Wing Drosophila
More than a decade after its arrival in the continental U.S., spotted-wing drosophila has spread to many parts of the country. But a decade of research has built a broad knowledge base for a variety of management strategies. A new review in the Journal of Economic Entomology provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of SWD management and promising future directions.
High Adaptability Allows Invasive Fruit Fly to Thrive in New Environments
For the invasive fruit fly known as spotted wing drosophila, its success in expanding into new ranges is driven at least in part by a high degree of phenotypic plasticity—the ability to shift traits in response to environmental influences.
Gaga for Gum: Study Shows Sticky Mixture Distracts Fruit Fly Pest
A food-grade gum substance shows promise as a new tool for managing the invasive spotted-wing drosophila. The flies don't get stuck, but the scent interferes with their reproductive behavior, and the gum can last up to three weeks in the field.