Statewide Monitoring Network for Invasive Insects

Project goal: To monitor for invasive insects in Michigan, mainly spotted wing drosophila and brown marmorated stink bug.

Project description:  Since 2010, NWMHRC staff have been participating in the statewide monitoring program trapping for SWD along with our MSU colleagues from around the state.  In the beginning, NWMHRC staff trapped in multiple fruit crops of our region including sweet and tart cherry, blackberry, wine grapes, raspberries, and strawberries.  Our current efforts are focused on tart cherry due to their susceptibility to this pest.  The number of traps has ranged from 30 to 200+ dispersed around the five county area: Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Antrim, Benzie, and Manistee.  Traps are checked weekly from 1 June through harvest and the numbers are reported to Julianna Wilson, MSU Tree Fruit IPM Outreach Specialist.  She then produces and up-to-date statewide report on trap catch numbers from all fruit growing regions of the state.  Growers use this information to make decisions on appropriate control actions for their crops.  In 2014, brown marmorated stink bugs traps were added to the monitoring program.  Up until 2020, we have observed stink bug damage in orchards but have not widely trapped BMSB in apple orchards.  They typically have been found in more urban settings congregating in people’s homes.  In late August 2020, we trapped BMSB nymphs and male and female adults in apple orchards in Leelanau, Grand Traverse, and Antrim counties.

Project lead/collaborators: Julianna Wilson, Nikki Rothwell, Emily Pochubay and MSUE Fruit Team

Funding sources: Michigan Cherry Committee, Project GREEEN, MI Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Specialty Block Grant funds

Start year: 2010

End year: on-going