What's happening in the field?

At the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station

Spotted Wing Drosophila Fly Trap

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Spotted Wing Drosophila Flies have been captured in Arkansas and we are wondering if they are in Missouri. We are learning to set traps for the flies to see if they are in our area.

Vickie Baumer, a graduate student intern,  has tried some trap designs and the latest one she is trying is the current design by Dr. Donn Johnson, Entomologist at the University of Arkansas. The bait for this trap is a mixture of 2 fl. oz water + 1 Tbs bakers yeast + 2 Tbs sugar + 2 Tbs whole wheat flower. The drowning solution is 4 – 6 fl oz of apple cider vinegar + 1-2 fl oz of white wine + 1 drop unscented dish soap and a pinch of salt.

More information on this insect – Arkansas Fact Sheet http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-7079.pdf

This spotted wing drosophila trap has a cup of the yeast bait in the inside cup and drowning solution on the bottom of the outer container.
This spotted wing drosophila trap has a cup of the yeast bait in the inside cup and drowning solution on the bottom of the outer container.
The traps are hung in the fruiting zone of the fruit plants as they begin to ripen.
The traps are hung in the fruiting zone of the fruit plants as they begin to ripen.