Agricultural pest control at centre of US-Georgian conference in Tbilisi

A conference was held earlier today at the National Food Agency to discuss methods of fighting agricultural pests and preventive measures.

The conference was attended by US leading entomologists and Georgian scientists.

The main subject of the discussion was a new pest that has appeared in Georgia recently called the Drosophila suzukii,  commonly known as the spotted wing drosophila or SWD – a fruit fly. 

It infests fruit early during the ripening stage, in contrast with other Drosophila species that infest only rotting fruit.

The main goal of the conference is to gain experience from US leading scientists about the fighting methods against the Drosophila suzukii”, said deputy head of the National Food Agency Zurab Lipartia.

Georgia’s successful experience in fighting against the brown marmorated stink bug  was also mentioned at the meeting.

• Georgia announces success in combating stink bug, expects strong hazelnut harvest

The scientific conference was organised by the National Food Agency and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).