Maine Blueberry Crop Expected to be Above Average

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Maine wild blueberry growers for the most part escaped widespread damage from a harmful new fruit fly during the summer harvest, resulting in what is expected to be an above-average crop.

Growers were bracing for the tiny spotted drosophila, a native of Asia that arrived in the U.S. five years and ago poses a threat to fruit growers.

David Yarborough, a blueberry specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, said the fly didn't become as big an issue as anticipated.

This year's harvest had been projected to be about average at 86 million pounds or so. But based on conversations with growers, Yarborough says he's now expecting the final tally to come in at about 90 million.