Spotted-winged Drosophila - Drosophila suzukii

Drosophila suzukii adults are small (3 to 4 mm) yellowish-brown fruit flies with red eyes. The adults have a yellowish-brown thorax with black bands on the abdomen. However winter individuals, particularly females, may be much darker. The arista is rayed both above and below. Males have a distinguishing dark spot along the front edge of each wing. Spotless males are also possible, but are rarely observed in the field and should be verified by an expert for positive identification. In addition, males have two rows of combs on each fore tarsus which are absent in females. Females also lack the wing spots but have a brown, triangular oviscapt with strong teeth along the lower margin.

males, females

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Areas where soft fruit trees are grown.

Peak time is late summer and autumn.

Unlike most other Drosophila flies, Drosophila suzukii can damage otherwise unblemished soft and stone fruit including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, blueberries, grapes, cherries and plums and can become a serious threat to fruit crops. The females have a serrated ovipositor (oviscapt) with which they penetrate the fruit skin.

The species was first detected in England in 2012 but is now widespread and fairly frequent in some areas.

Increasing in Leicestershire and Rutland but likely to be under-recorded.

The Sapcote record of November 2020 is the first for VC55.