Entomology staff visit the Kent Daane Lab to learn about rearing SWD

The entomology lab staff recently visited the Kent Daane Lab at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center to gain hands-on experience in rearing Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing drosophila, SWD), a major pest of strawberries and caneberries. Dr. Kent Daane, Dr. James Brown, lab manager Mike Lopez, and technician Emily Henry were generous hosts and provided valuable insights to support the development of our SWD research colonies at the Center. Cal Poly students Colin Koubek, Taylor Hibino, and Sophie Rodriguez participated in the visit and also received training on the rearing of Ganaspis kimurai, a larval parasitoid of SWD. This collaborative exchange will help advance our efforts to establish and optimize SWD research and biocontrol programs.