While invasive species are always threatening crops, a native pest is the biggest threat to Michigan’s blueberries: the stem gall wasp. In the spring, the wasp lays its eggs in the shoots of blueberry plants and “tricks” them into producing a swollen bulb. According to Rufus Isaacs, an entomologist at Michigan State University, this stops the shoot from growing normally and lessens each plant’s yield.
“In recent years, we’ve seen increasing densities of them,” Isaacs said. “It’s definitely gotten to the point where it’s an economic challenge. It became a priority issue.”
Isaacs’ efforts to combat the stem gall wasp is one example of studies funded by the Michigan Blueberry Commission to help growers stay competitive. Michigan ranks third in the nation for blueberry production and contributes $132 million to the state’s economy annually, according to the Michigan Agricultural Council. But, according to a paper published by Kansas State University, profit margins in the blueberry industry are narrowing as global production lowers prices and production costs rise.
In the five years the commission has existed, it’s funded $800,000 worth of research. Along with stem gall wasp research, it has also funded studies to improve blueberry pollination and to control spotted wing drosophila, an invasive species.
Source: news.jrn.msu.edu