Managing Silba Adipata McAlpine AKA "Black Fig Fly"

[Figland]

The plan for this year for our property, since I am putting many potted figs into wire mesh cages into the ground to foil the gophers, is to use traps made with plastic water or soda bottles around the perimeter. Here is the recipe that came from Michael Fons I believe. It was posted in Growing Figs While Battling the Black Fig Fly on FB group by Steph Quan on 10/18/24
1 Packet Baker's Yeast ( 1 TBSP)
1 TBSP Dish Soap
1 TBSP Maple Syrup or sugar
Mix in a 1 liter bottle and pour into 3 Smaller bottles
You can use a soldering iron to poke holes around the top of the bottle ( maybe 6 or so, just under the neck)
Add yellow tape to the bottle to help attract them
Hang with a wire attached to the bottle, keep the top on. The flies will be attracted to the bait, but tend to get stuck in the bottle and drown.
You can add some water to the mix. Replace weekly or when the bait gets too full. I'm going to mount them on 1x2 posts stuck into the ground about 4-5 ft tall. My only concern is the coyotes getting interested.

I have very low pest pressure here, but I want to see what I am dealing with. I have figs already, some hanging on from last season and some developing, no signs of the pest yet, I'll probably bag the fruit that is developing now just in case. I have picked a few fruit that was spongy off, they were undeveloped from last year with no holes or discoloration that would be found if the larvae had eaten the inside. Pretty sure they are not here yet but we will keep looking and checking.
I also have some GF 120 Naturalyte ( Spinosad bait), but I will use that only if I confirm them and there are enough signs to warrant it. I need to call the Agriculture Inspectors to see what they are hearing also. Best of Good Fortune Everyone in dealing with this pest this season!

 

[Figless]

I’ve been learning quite a bit about things that can affect pest pressure, including BFF. I’ll probably write more about it in my newsletter at this point. It’s hard to share information when it doesn’t feel like it’s wanted or well received. Plus, many are attached to conventional ways of thinking. I don’t understand why there was a need to argue in the one thread, but it was what it was. Regardless, there is one way to defeat these things and that is to work in harmony with nature, not to war against it. Nature will always win wars. This isn’t a lost cause and pests can affect every plant humans cultivate, so it isn’t anything new. Some will find a way through.

Strategies that have worked for the Author: https://www.silba-adipata.info/Silba-adipata-Black-Fig-Fly-control-methods-my-solutions.html

I love this thread, I read the entire thing, word for word, and every post, and member that's written in it. Most especially all y'all. It's almost 4:00 a.m. but I couldn't help but tell how I feel reading it.

 

[SpiritFarmVa]

it just may be "gravel" or Pumice is the new "wood chips" lol!

Thats a very interesting idea. While it doesn’t add organic matter over time it would be a one time ( for the most part) effort and expense. And a light colored gravel could help mitigate soil temps.

 

[Figland]

I love this thread, I read the entire thing, word for word, and every post, and member that's written in it. Most especially all y'all. It's almost 4:00 a.m. but I couldn't help but tell how I feel reading it.

We need everyone working together to solve things like this so welcome and hope you don't have to face this thing in your yard, but contrary to the feeling you get of being defeated when you first realize it's a possibility ( been there lol!) We can beat it! ( Together!)

 

[Figland]

Thats a very interesting idea. While it doesn’t add organic matter over time it would be a one time ( for the most part) effort and expense. And a light colored gravel could help mitigate soil temps.

I have Pumice that is white ( cooling?) For keeping things on the ground during wind events, but maybe it could also stop the fly from emerging if it's a thick enough layer. Around here, keeping the soil from drying out is also a constant concern.

 

[SpiritFarmVa]

I have Pumice that is white ( cooling?) For keeping things on the ground during wind events, but maybe it could also stop the fly from emerging if it's a thick enough layer. Around here, keeping the soil from drying out is also a constant concern.

The pumice is also loaded with silica. And other minerals often more easily available (from what I understand) that other rock forms.
White ground cloth is used in greenhouses to enhance photosynthesis with its reflective qualities, I wonder if the white pumice would do the same?
Anything you can do to keep sun off the soil will help with water. And the pumice allows good gas exchange and you won’t suffocate the avocado tree roots.

 

[Figland]

The pumice is also loaded with silica. And other minerals often more easily available (from what I understand) that other rock forms.
White ground cloth is used in greenhouses to enhance photosynthesis with its reflective qualities, I wonder if the white pumice would do the same?
Anything you can do to keep sun off the soil will help with water. And the pumice allows good gas exchange and you won’t suffocate the avocado tree roots.

Thank you for all of this information! Very helpful! I put pumice around all of the bare root tree trunks we planted this year to help keep the wood chips from touching them and to keep the soil from drying out. We'd have to get a few tons to put around the avocados, looking for sources.

 

[SpiritFarmVa]

Thank you for all of this information! Very helpful! I put pumice around all of the bare root tree trunks we planted this year to help keep the wood chips from touching them and to keep the soil from drying out. We'd have to get a few tons to put around the avocados, looking for sources.

I wish we had pumice available here. It has to be trucked cross country to get it. I wish we could use it in potting soil.