Learn tools to manage spotted wing Drosophila at southwest Michigan workshop

Learn how to use IPM tools to manage spotted wing Drosophila populations more effectively while keeping more money in your pocket

Michael Reinke and Carlos Garcia-Salazar, Michigan State University Extension - May 31, 2019

The Michigan State University Extension small fruit team and Michigan Food and Farming Systems invite growers, field managers, pest consultants and everyone involved in insect pest management in blueberries, raspberries and strawberries to attend the 2019 Systems Approach to Managing Spotted Wing Drosophila in Berries. This workshop will be offered on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center, 1791 Hillandale Rd., Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Why should I attend this workshop?

The workshop is based on using advanced integrated pest management (IPM) tools to manage spotted wing Drosophila (SWD). These IPM tools translate directly to the bottom line: savings in pest control, fewer insecticide applications and minimum crops losses due to SWD. In this workshop, growers will learn:

To target the most sensitive life stages of the pest to optimize the effectiveness of recommended insecticides.
How recommended insecticides perform under a variety of weather conditions.
To use the current and forecasted weather information to program insecticide applications and insecticide selection depending on current and forecasted weather conditions (relative humidity, wind velocity and temperature). Also, to adjust insecticide spray volume accordingly.

The program will include a hands-on session dedicated to discussing a successful IPM program for SWD control using MSU Enviroweather and MSU Extension resources provided during the classroom sessions. If you have a laptop computer or smart phone, please bring it with you for the hands-on session. At least one laptop will be available for those that may need one for the hands-on practice. The agenda for the training is below.

Even though you may have already attended one or more trainings in the past, this training will provide you with new information and help you upgrade your SWD IPM program. There is a $25 fee for this meeting that includes materials, lunch and refreshments. To ensure an accurate handouts and lunch count, please pre-register online.

There will be 4 RUP recertification credits for attending this training.

Time	Topic	Instructor
9 a.m.	Registration	Filiberto Villa
9:15 a.m.	Introduction
9:15–10 a.m.	SWD research update: Control methods, new insecticides, lures and monitoring update	Rufus Isaacs
10–11 a.m.	SWD biology and behavior: Implications for its management and control. Biology-based approaches: cultural, physical, biological controls and SWD monitoring. New chemical control tactics - new insecticide efficacy	Rufus Isaacs and Michael Reinke
11–11:10 a.m.	Coffee break
11:10 a.m. –12 p.m.	Use of Enviroweather for IPM for SWD - Lecture	Carlos Garcia
12–1 p.m.	Lunch provided
1–2 p.m.	Insecticides for SWD control: Use and management under different weather conditions	Carlos Garcia
2–3:45 p.m.	Enviroweather hands-on: Using current and extended weather forecast to develop a successful IPM for SWD management Hands-on: Developing a successful IPM program for SWD	Mark Longstroth, Michael Reinke, Carlos Garcia and Rufus Isaacs
3:45–4 p.m.	RUP credits and questions; adjourn

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).