Fighting Black Fig Fly

[Steven J.]

Hello friends,

I just wanted to check in on everyone who is currently fighting black fig fly. I do not have BFF where I live, but I understand it can arrive at any moment, so I have been planning and researching. Recently, I read Rosy's article on it and that made me want to ask here.

Any new things you are trying? I heard there are some organza bags that are too small for BFF, but let the wasp in. I heard a grower mention them in a CRFG video on BFF.

Those of you who have BFF. What are you doing to combat it and what is your percentage of crop loss?

Thank you all.

 

[Steven J.]

My recent crazy idea.

In that video I mentioned about the BFF by the CRFG, the people studying it mentioned they noticed a dramatic decrease in BFF damage in pollinated figs. Caprification changes the chemistry of the fig and they are no longer attractive to the pest.

This got me thinking. What if I grow several large caprifigs around my trees to house the wasp. Theoretically, this would increase my pollination rates and could decrease the BFF damage, at least slightly.

Any thoughts?

 

[GoodFriendMike]

It seems the fly likes Capri. If you hand pollinated your figs before the fly came around. It may help? Not sure as we don't have them here. But I have read as you have. That they mostly like unpollinated figs. Richard I believe is using Gnatrol WDG. I would assume as a preventive measure. Valerie has been dealing with this. And has some good ideas. Maybe she will chime in.

 

[Steven J.]

It seems the fly likes Capri. If you hand pollinated your figs before the fly came around. It may help? Not sure as we don't have them here. But I have read as you have. That they mostly like unpollinated figs. Richard I believe is using Gnatrol WDG. I would assume as a preventive measure. Valerie has been dealing with this. And has some good ideas. Maybe she will chime in.

They like capri? That is unfortunate. I may have to resort to my last resort of building netted enclosure for my trees.

The part that fascinates me is that Turkey battles the BFF and yet they are the largest producers of smyrna figs in the world. Apparently, all they do is monitor and dispose of infested fruit. Maybe it is a numbers thing.

 

[Inflorescence]

My recent crazy idea.

In that video I mentioned about the BFF by the CRFG, the people studying it mentioned they noticed a dramatic decrease in BFF damage in pollinated figs. Caprification changes the chemistry of the fig and they are no longer attractive to the pest.

This got me thinking. What if I grow several large caprifigs around my trees to house the wasp. Theoretically, this would increase my pollination rates and could decrease the BFF damage, at least slightly.

Any thoughts?

There is a research article that mentioned pollinated figs are not usually targeted by BFF. It’s been discussed in past years, but I’d have to look it up to find the article.

I’m relating it in my head to what I’ve been learning about high Brix plants not having the pest issues lower Brix plants have, and I wonder if some of what they are seeing is more because the wasp chose the healthier plants/fruits to pollinate, which BFF would naturally avoid anyhow? Like maybe it’s more of a coincidence? I’m not sure, it’s just a theory…

But, just going on the idea of pollinating decreasing chances of BFF, I think hand pollination would be more of a guarantee than wasp pollination. Granted a fruit is receptive when it is receptive. But, hand pollinating lets you time it as soon as possible whereas wasp pollination is more by chance and the timing is their own.

 

[GoodFriendMike]

They like capri? That is unfortunate. I may have to resort to my last resort of building netted enclosure for my trees.

The part that fascinates me is that Turkey battles the BFF and yet they are the largest producers of smyrna figs in the world. Apparently, all they do is monitor and dispose of infested fruit. Maybe it is a numbers thing.

If they are not far from you. The netted enclosure would be ideal. It would also protect your figs from other things like birds.

 

[Steven J.]

There is a research article that mentioned pollinated figs are not usually targeted by BFF. It’s been discussed in past years, but I’d have to look it up to find the article.

I’m relating it in my head to what I’ve been learning about high Brix plants not having the pest issues lower Brix plants have, and I wonder if some of what they are seeing is more because the wasp chose the healthier plants/fruits to pollinate, which BFF would naturally avoid anyhow? Like maybe it’s more of a coincidence? I’m not sure, it’s just a theory…

But, just going on the idea of pollinating decreasing chances of BFF, I think hand pollination would be more of a guarantee than wasp pollination. Granted a fruit is receptive when it is receptive. But, hand pollinating lets you time it as soon as possible whereas wasp pollination is more by chance and the timing is their own.

Your results were reassuring. Thanks for sharing.
I think there is something physiological going on with pollination. The ostiole tightens and such, so that is a physical barrier. Also, in the video, they site some research that states there might be some volatile compounds released from pollinated figs that seem to decrease BFF infestation. It would be so great if they figured out how to recreate these compounds and make a repellent.

 

[Inflorescence]

Your results were reassuring. Thanks for sharing.
I think there is something physiological going on with pollination. The ostiole tightens and such, so that is a physical barrier. Also, in the video, they site some research that states there might be some volatile compounds released from pollinated figs that seem to decrease BFF infestation. It would be so great if they figured out how to recreate these compounds and make a repellent.

Yes, that’s what I remember from the research article as well, that they felt it involved the scent compounds from the chemical change associated with pollination. Though I wonder if a spray was created with those specific compounds if it would stop pollination as well because the wasp would think it was already done.

There was a thread on OF where some of us were discussing this, how scent impacts BFF and other things. It’s one reason why I tried essential oils at first as a repellant.

The good news is that it is not as hard to repel them as many might think. They’re actually pretty easy to deal with if someone is open to some of these natural methods and able to spray more often. I think it’s harder for those who want a one and done poison application. Or hard for someone who wants complete eradication and zero fruits affected.

Netting definitely seems to work as well, and is a good alternative for those not wanting to fuss with it all.

 

[Steven J.]

Yes, that’s what I remember from the research article as well, that they felt it involved the scent compounds from the chemical change associated with pollination. Though I wonder if a spray was created with those specific compounds if it would stop pollination as well because the wasp would think it was already done.

There was a thread on OF where some of us were discussing this, how scent impacts BFF and other things. It’s one reason why I tried essential oils at first as a repellant.

The good news is that it is not as hard to repel them as many might think. They’re actually pretty easy to deal with if someone is open to some of these natural methods and able to spray more often. I think it’s harder for those who want a one and done poison application. Or hard for someone who wants complete eradication and zero fruits affected.

Netting definitely seems to work as well, and is a good alternative for those not wanting to fuss with it all.

Thank you for sharing. I think I will try your essential oil concoction. Did you find basil was the most effective?

I love figs so much, I am willing to go to quite some lengths

 

[Inflorescence]

Thank you for sharing. I think I will try your essential oil concoction. Did you find basil was the most effective?

I love figs so much, I am willing to go to quite some lengths

Basil was the one I used because of its high amount of linalool, but other essential oils also have higher amounts of it that may be more cost effective, such as lavender.

I didn’t use any essential oils this last season and still had very low amounts of fruit affected. But I detailed that in the article you already read.

Essential oils high in linalool
1. Coriander oil
2. Sweet basil oil
3. Lavender oil
4. Cilantro oil
5. Bergamot oil
6. Clary sage oil
7. Ylang ylang oil
8. Geranium oil
9. Cinnamon oil
10. Rosemary oil
11. Neroli oil
12. Magnolia oil
13. Rose oil
14. Sweet thyme oil
15. Chamomile oil
16. Petitgrain oil
17. Bay leaf oil
18. Lemon oil
19. Sweet orange oil

Just be careful of the bulk or larger bottles of essential oils on Amazon. Some of them are not pure essential oils despite what they may claim or are poor quality and may not work as well.

 

[Inflorescence]

Oh hey, I forgot! I’ve been talking with NiagaraFigs about jasmonates and jasmonic acids. He wrote an article or two that mentioned them on his Substack and I recently watched a video about them. They can trigger natural plant defences and may be effective against BFF.

Things like salicylic acid also can do this. He was telling me liquid kelp can as well. These are natural elicitors that help plants with their defenses, PLUS, they help with growth, taste, and color.

I can’t believe I didn’t think to say it right away, I’m literally having this PM conversation on the other forum as I’m typing here, haha.

But anyhow, jasmonates are in many kinds of plants, not just jasmine. (I know I read a blurb on this website https://www.silba-adipata.info/index.html with a little mention by someone who said BFF also liked jasmine, but I can’t find it now offhand. I don’t think that will be a concern though since it is not a jasmine alone compound despite the name, and it may be the latex in jasmine drawing them.)

This is something I am planning to explore for this upcoming season, so it is not a tried and true method on my part. This is experimental territory for me.

Justin talked about Methyl jasmonate in his article and you can buy that here: https://perfumersupplyhouse.com/product/methyl-jasmonate-bedoukian/

I’m hesitant to use that form of it just for personal reasons because I react to perfume ingredients. But I am looking into plants with higher levels of jasmonic acid and may make a ferment with them, if I haven’t already by accident. I’m also going to try a fertilizing product that has it to see how it works.

This isn’t a scent deterrent method, but is a method to stimulate natural plant defences so the plant itself resists insects and becomes unappealing, but yet improves in taste and health to people. You also should not have to spray this as often as a scent deterrent, but still more frequently than a poison perhaps.

 

[Steven J.]

Oh hey, I forgot! I’ve been talking with NiagaraFigs about jasmonates and jasmonic acids. He wrote an article or two that mentioned them on his Substack and I recently watched a video about them. They can trigger natural plant defences and may be effective against BFF.

Things like salicylic acid also can do this. He was telling me liquid kelp can as well. These are natural elicitors that help plants with their defenses, PLUS, they help with growth, taste, and color.

I can’t believe I didn’t think to say it right away, I’m literally having this PM conversation on the other forum as I’m typing here, haha.

But anyhow, jasmonates are in many kinds of plants, not just jasmine. (I know I read a blurb on this website https://www.silba-adipata.info/index.html with a little mention by someone who said BFF also liked jasmine, but I can’t find it now offhand. I don’t think that will be a concern though since it is not a jasmine alone compound despite the name, and it may be the latex in jasmine drawing them.)

This is something I am planning to explore for this upcoming season, so it is not a tried and true method on my part. This is experimental territory for me.

Justin talked about Methyl jasmonate in his article and you can by that here: https://perfumersupplyhouse.com/product/methyl-jasmonate-bedoukian/

I’m hesitant to use that form of it just for personal reasons because I react to perfume ingredients. But I am looking into plants with higher levels of jasmonic acid and may make a ferment with them, if I haven’t already by accident. I’m also going to try a fertilizing product that has it to see how it works.

This isn’t a scent deterrent method, but is a method to stimulate natural plant defences so the plant itself resists insects and becomes unappealing, but yet improves in taste and health to people. You also should not have to spray this as often as a scent deterrent, but still more frequently than a poison perhaps.

Wow! This is great info. The kelp is great to know since I will be using it anyway. Thanks so much for sharing. I will look into including these other things as well.

 

[BucksCountyFigs]

There is a research article that mentioned pollinated figs are not usually targeted by BFF. It’s been discussed in past years, but I’d have to look it up to find the article.

I’m relating it in my head to what I’ve been learning about high Brix plants not having the pest issues lower Brix plants have, and I wonder if some of what they are seeing is more because the wasp chose the healthier plants/fruits to pollinate, which BFF would naturally avoid anyhow? Like maybe it’s more of a coincidence? I’m not sure, it’s just a theory…

But, just going on the idea of pollinating decreasing chances of BFF, I think hand pollination would be more of a guarantee than wasp pollination. Granted a fruit is receptive when it is receptive. But, hand pollinating lets you time it as soon as possible whereas wasp pollination is more by chance and the timing is their own.

I haven’t read the BFF/wasp articles, but was just thinking that maybe it’s not the BRIX, but maybe more because of the chemical changes that pollination induces.

I know in flowers, insects can tell which plants have already been pollinated, so they preferentially will target unpollinated plants, so they can obtain more pollen.

But I was just thinking that since BFF’s goal isn’t pollination, it’s laying its eggs where they can hatch and feed, that it must be repelled by some chemical signature (scent, taste, etc.) that is associated with pollination. I could be totally wrong. Just a thought.

 

[Inflorescence]

Wow! This is great info. The kelp is great to know since I will be using it anyway. Thanks so much for sharing. I will look into including these other things as well.

For sure! I may have already done it myself by accident this last season, because I used a lot of seaweed as well. Plus, all sorts of plant ferments that may have already had those compounds. Acetic acid is another one and I had it in my calcium extractions.

Alright, I’ll stop talking now, haha, hogging the thread too much!

 

[ZomVee]

My recent crazy idea.

In that video I mentioned about the BFF by the CRFG, the people studying it mentioned they noticed a dramatic decrease in BFF damage in pollinated figs. Caprification changes the chemistry of the fig and they are no longer attractive to the pest.

This got me thinking. What if I grow several large caprifigs around my trees to house the wasp. Theoretically, this would increase my pollination rates and could decrease the BFF damage, at least slightly.

Any thoughts?

Is Ficin in production as soon as the fig is caprified? Maybe that's what wards the flies off, they smell extra Ficin?

 

[ZomVee]

This is from Gemini. The Ficin is meant to break down the wasp, so flies don't want to lay their larvae into an acid pit.

But then Mike says they like Caprifigs....is Ficin production lower in Caprifigs?