Curative activity contributes to control of spotted-wing drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and blueberry maggot (Diptera: Tephritidae) in highbush blueberry

Semi-field experiments were used to compare the curative activity of insecticides on spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae)) and blueberry maggot (Rhagoletis mendax Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae)) in blueberry fruit. The organophosphate phosmet, the spinosyn spinetoram, and neonicotinoids imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiamethoxam showed significant lethality on spotted-wing drosophila and blueberry maggot larvae and eggs, when applied topically to blueberry fruit post-infestation. The pyrethroids fenpropathrin and zeta-cypermethrin showed high levels of post-infestation activity on spotted-wing drosophila larvae or eggs, and indoxacarb showed statistically weaker activity. Curative activity is a previously unrecognised contributor to the overall means by which blueberry growers may achieve control of spotted-wing drosophila and blueberry maggot with the use of insecticides in blueberries.