Our results from the fruit sampling at commercial fields indicate that the method of holding berries to allow flies to emerge provides a more sensitive method than the salt solution for evaluation of fruit infestation by Drosophila, although the incubation period means that it takes longer to get the results. Our detection of statistical differences in the number of adult flies emerging from conventional and organic programs, but not from the direct fruit sampling, coupled with the higher number of flies in the reared samples further supports our recommendation that the rearing method be used to provide an accurate indication of the level of fruit infestation. Despite the better accuracy of the rearing method, and the ability to confirm the insect’s identity,
the salt solution may provide a more accurate indication of the level of infestation that is likely to be detected by the casual observer since eggs and young larvae are small and challenging to see.