The Suzukii fly is spreading and Swiss fruit growers are right to be worried.
So says Agroscope, the research organization at the Federal Agriculture Office.
The yellow and orange insect, nicknamed the dragon fruit fly is from Southeast Asia.
It appeared in western Switzerland a year ago and is now feasting on fruits and berries in Eastern Switzerland and Zurich as well.
Foreign fruit imports are thought to be the fly’s vehicle into the country,
And its fruit of choice is the cherry.
No serious damage has been reported this year as of yet.
An Agroscope researcher, working with a Zurich company has developed a trap to rid of the pests.
The vinegar-filled yoghurt pot-style device is reported to be effective.