Spotted wing drosophila

The spotted wing drosophila is not present in the ACT or anywhere else in Australia.

About the pest

The spotted wing drosophila (SWD; Drosophila suzukii) is an exotic plant pest. This insect pest is a serious threat to Australia’s cherry and berry fruit industries. SWD is a small fly similar in size to vinegar flies which sometimes gather around over-ripe fruit.

Why they are a problem

SWD is a serious threat because it attacks healthy ripening fruit as well as damaged or split fruit.

Female insects lay eggs under the skin of the fruit and larvae destroy it by feeding on the flesh. After laying eggs, the puncture wounds from the females laying eggs in the fruit leave open pathways for bacteria, moulds and fungi to enter the fruit, speeding up decay.

What to look for

• Adult flies are 2–3 mm long with a wingspan of 6–8 mm. They have red eyes, a pale brown thorax and abdomen, and black stripes across the abdomen.
• Male SWD have a black spot on the end of each wing as well as two black combs on the front legs.
• Female SWD have a saw-like ovipositor (egg laying organ at the end of the abdomen) which can be seen when extended and is used to puncture the skin of fruit for egg laying.

How it spreads

SWD spreads primarily through the transport of infested fruit and natural short-distance flight. Because adult SWD cannot travel long distances on their own, the rapid global and regional spread of this pest is driven by the movement of produce and human-assisted transport.

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