Cherry tree issues - Ask Extension
What is going on with my cherries? They were great at the beginning of the season but now they are all ripening like this
Knowledgebase
Cherry tree issues #874798
Asked June 26, 2024, 12:42 PM EDT
What is going on with my cherries? They were great at the beginning of the season but now they are all ripening like this
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hello Sara,
They look like they've been infected by a fly called spotted wing drosophila (SWD). If it is SWD, the female inserts its eggs by sawing an extremely small hole in the fruit's skin. The larvae are what cause all the damage inside leaving ruined fruit with the bruised and bumpy appearance. Here is more information about SWD.
If you want, you could get a definitive diagnosis by sending a sample to the U of MN Extension Plant Disease Clinic. Here is the link to their website where you'll learn about their services, prices, and how to submit a sample.
Good-luck!
