Spotted wing drosophila fly threat on fruit farms

Fruit growers have been urged by Teagasc to monitor for the presence of the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) fly.

Its presence in Ireland was confirmed for the first time last June, at commercial fruit growing farms in Dublin and Wexford.

Recognised as a pest in Europe since 2008, it damages fruit and can allow secondary pathogens to infest fruit.