Journal of Pest Science (2016) 89, 793-802

Samantha Tochen, Vaughn M. Walton and Jana C. Lee (2016)
Impact of floral feeding on adult Drosophila suzukii survival and nutrient status
Journal of Pest Science 89 (3), 793-802
Abstract: Drosophila suzukii, spotted wing drosophila, is a serious pest of small fruits and cherries in many regions of the world. While host usage has been well studied at the ovipositional and larval feeding stages, little is known about the feeding ecology and nutrient requirements of adults. This study addressed the impact of feeding on the survival and nutrient reserves of adult D. suzukii in laboratory assays. First, access to cherry blossoms increased survival rates of both adult males and females compared to water only. This suggests that these early spring blossoms may provide a food source for D. suzukii in fields that may be devoid of other food sources. Second, D. suzukii reared on a standard laboratory diet as larvae emerged as adults with minimal glycogen and sugar levels. Adults with continued access to a carbohydrate–protein diet showed rapidly elevated carbohydrate reserves, and adults with continued access to only water showed a decline in total sugars. Third, females with access to cherry or blueberry blossoms showed elevated carbohydrate reserves when compared to those with access to water only. These results illustrate the importance of adult feeding in enhancing survival and carbohydrate reserves among D. suzukii.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Samantha Tochen, Jana C. Lee, Vaughn Martin Walton

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Drosophila suzukii	Cherry (Prunus avium - Prunus cerasus)
	Drosophila suzukii	Blueberry/cranberry (Vaccinium)