MSU researchers told Senator Peters about an invasive fly in Michigan called the spotted wing Drosophila.
The bug lays its eggs inside Michigan blueberries and cherries. And if even a single larva is found on a batch of fruit, the produce can’t be sold on the market.
The researchers said introducing another small insect called the samba wasp could reduce the population of the fly.
Peters says his bill would provide more funding to study the best way to protect crops.
“researchers here have come up with a great potential bio defense in the samba Wasp, but we need more money for research to really know how this wasp interacts in the environment and how effective it will be in dealing with this Spotted waiting fly.”
The senator is pushing for the legislation to be included in a broader agricultural package. He says the bill has bipartisan support.
