Tens of millions proposed to combat a fruit fly that's damaging Michigan berries – Interlochen

A invoice within the U.S. Senate goals to stop the unfold of a fruit fly that threatens vital Michigan crops.

The spotted-wing drosophila is tiny — simply 2-3 millimeters in size. It might sit atop a pencil eraser and nonetheless have room to stretch out.

Adults lay their eggs in soft-skinned fruits like cherries and blueberries, and the larvae feed on the fruit. Even a small infestation can scare patrons away from a whole crop.

It’s a big drawback in Michigan and a handful of different states.

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., says his invoice would spend $6.5 million a yr for 5 years, researching methods to manage the unfold of the fruit fly.

“Definitely, if we’re making an attempt to assist growers who’ve been impacted, that will have a a lot bigger price ticket, whenever you’re an affect across the nation estimated to be round $700 million per yr,” Peters stated. “However we have to determine how you can mitigate this so it doesn’t occur sooner or later.”

The invoice has help from two Republicans, as effectively: Senators Susan Collins of Maine, and Mike Braun of Indiana.

The fruit fly has been in Michigan since 2010. A number of the work to mitigate its unfold is being accomplished by Michigan State University.