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Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Section Symposium

Biocontrol of Drosophila suzukii: Status Updates on Natural Enemies and Ecological Considerations

Setting the stage: An overview of spotted-wing drosophila biocontrol efforts

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

2:02 PM – 2:14 PM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 204

Presenting Author(s)

Judith M. Stahl

Postdoctoral Researcher
University of California
Parlier, California

Co-Author(s)

XW

Xingeng Wang

Research Entomologist
USDA-ARS
Newark, Delaware
Kim Alan Hoelmer

Research Entomologist
USDA-ARS
Newark, Delaware
AB

Antonio Biondi

Professor
University of Catania
Catania, Sicilia, Italy
KD

Kent Daane

Professor of Cooperative Extension
University of California
Parlier, California

Drosophila suzukii, the spotted-wing drosophila, is a global agricultural pest of soft fruit. Management of the invasive species from East Asia relies heavily on insecticide applications, which has led to negative effects on the environment and resistance development. Necessary, more environmentally friendly methods such as biological control are being developed. Classical biocontrol efforts begun almost a decade ago have identified the larval-pupal parasitoid Ganaspis brasiliensis as the most promising agent. Before the permitting process to release the parasitoid was completed, adventive populations of G. brasiliensis and Leptopilina japonica were discovered in Canada, the US, and Italy. Now, releases of G. brasiliensis have started in Europe, and with a nationwide collaborative program in the US, in 2021 and 2022 respectively.