PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A coordinated effort among farmers, educators from Oregon State University and some emergency money from the state Legislature helped stave off damage to blueberry crops from a voracious Asian fruit fly.
The Oregonian reports that growers and researchers are pleased with their efforts this past summer, but that they realize that the spotted wing Drosophila is here to stay.
The fruit fly is originally from Asia and first appeared in California in 2008. It soon migrated north. The fly targets ripening fruit, instead of damaged fruit like other flies.
This year a $225,000 emergency grant from lawmakers helped fund the efforts that included repeated pesticide applications.
