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First Fruit Fly Of The Season Is Caught

The Wild Cherry Fruit Fly has made its first appearance of the season in the region.  Oregon State University Extension says a fruit fly was caught in a baited trap this past weekend at the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center.  Traps are set at the Center, Dallesport, and The Dalles.  All sites are about 2 weeks behind the past two years, and the 10-year average.  Adult female flies require seven to ten days after emergence to become sexually mature.  Sprays should target egg-laying females to prevent fruit injury.  Fallen or unharvested fruit can be a resource for late season infestation, and in those circumstances, orchardists may need to consider a post-harvest spray to prevent problems the following year.