Plastic Mulches Prove Effective Against Spotted Wing Drosophila in Raspberries

Great article here from Growing Produce about how researcher Hannah McIntosh out in Wisconsin obtained serious reductions in SWD in raspberries by underlaying the crop with plastic mulch (three colors tested: metallic, black and white).  All three colors worked in reducing SWD numbers by something like 50% (!!) and in some cases increased yields.  The researchers are thinking it has to do with increased UV interfering with the insects' navigation, grower feels the larvae are getting cooked on the plastic (I'm with the grower, but I'm going to wait for more data before firming up on this opinion).

This is pretty interesting and some good work.

https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/plastic-mulches-prove-effective-against-spotted-wing-drosophila-in-raspberry-crops/

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