The regional monitoring program is being conducted in berry and stone fruit crops and grapes in Essex, Chatham-Kent, Elgin, Norfolk, Halton, Oxford, Niagara, Durham and Northumberland counties.  This post provides average trap counts for all the monitored counties.

The monitoring project is funded by Niagara Peninsula Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Ontario Grape and Wine Research and Ontario Tender Fruit Growers in collaboration with private consultants.

After a dip in early July, SWD numbers are increasing significantly in Essex, Kent, Niagara and Halton.  Trap catch in Elgin, Oxford, Durham and Northumberland continues to be low but consistent.

Graph of SWD trap catch in Essex, Kent, Niagara, Norfolk, Durham, Northumberland, Halton, Elgin and Oxford counties in Ontario.  Populations are starting to increase in most counties as of July 21.
Graph of average number of SWD/trap for Ontario counties in 2020

Use these results in addition to your own monitoring program to determine when SWD is present on your farm.  Once sustained catch occurs (two weeks in a row with SWD), growers with ripening crops susceptible to SWD should consider using a product with activity against SWD in preharvest sprays.  Check the SWD product registrations on ONFRUIT at SWD Registrations 2020 – ONfruit. Conduct a salt water test or a plastic baggie test to confirm presence of larvae in fruit.

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