Pest Management Science (2017) 73, 160-166

Catherine M. Little, Thomas W. Chapman, Debra L. Moreau and N. Kirk Hillier (2017)
Susceptibility of selected boreal fruits and berries to the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Pest Management Science 73 (1), 160-166
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Drosophila suzukii Matsumara has recently emerged as a major invasive pest species in soft-skinned fruits in berries throughout North America and Europe. Its distribution has spread so rapidly that little is known of the extent of fruit susceptibility, particularly in boreal regions. Populations of D. suzukii increase dramatically in late summer in boreal regions, concurrent with fruiting seasons for commercially and culturally significant fruits and berries. We tested fruit preference and susceptibility of lingonberry, blueberry, chokecherry, sea buckthorn and raspberry fruits to D. suzukii.
RESULTS
Female D. suzukii attempted to oviposit on all fruit types tested. Fruits with lower brix and lower pH levels were preferred in choice tests. Undamaged lingonberries were relatively safe from infestation; however, bruised or frost-damaged fruits were easily penetrated. Sea buckthorn and raspberry fruits were highly preferred.
CONCLUSION
Although blueberry growers have experienced severe economic crop losses due to D. suzukii, we have found that blueberries were the least preferred of the fruits tested. This suggests that D. suzukii are largely opportunistic and highlights the importance of fruit phenology in fruit susceptibility.
(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): N. Kirk Hillier, Thomas W. Chapman

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	Raspberry/blackberry (Rubus)
	Drosophila suzukii	Blueberry/cranberry (Vaccinium)