Abstract
Methods for trapping spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsmura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), have not yet been optimized for detecting this devastating pest of soft-skinned fruits. Here, we report outcomes of choice and no-choice laboratory bioassays quantifying the rates of spotted wing drosophila alightment on 5-cm-diameter sticky disks of various colors, but no fruit odors. Red, purple, and black disks captured the most spotted wing drosophila when presented against a white background. Male and female spotted wing drosophila responded identically in these tests. Significantly more D. suzukii were captured on the red and yellow disks than those presenting the corresponding grayscale for that color, proving that D. suzukii perceives colors and not just the level of target brightness. Fluorescent red is the best candidate for trap color, while clear and white are the least desirable. However, when the background was switched to black, all nonfluorescent colors were equally acceptable to spotted wing drosophila, suggesting that background must be specified when reporting spotted wing drosophila color preference. Additional spotted wing drosophila research is justified on the effects of target color against natural backgrounds.
Highlights
Methods for trapping spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsmura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), have not yet been optimized for detecting this devastating pest of soft-skinned fruits
The present investigation primarily answers the question of what type of visual cue best promotes spotted wing drosophila alightment on a small sticky surface with the ultimate aim of optimizing monitoring trap color
The hypotheses tested were: 1) certain colors strongly promote spotted wing drosophila alightment, while others do not, 2) spotted wing drosophila responds differently to visual targets varying in color and not just brightness of the corresponding black and white image, and 3) certain colors are preferred irrespective of whether the background shifts from light to dark
Summary
Methods for trapping spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsmura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), have not yet been optimized for detecting this devastating pest of soft-skinned fruits. The present investigation primarily answers the question of what type of visual cue best promotes spotted wing drosophila alightment on a small sticky surface with the ultimate aim of optimizing monitoring trap color. This is our first step in a systematic investigation of the optimal sensory parameters for spotted wing drosophila trapping. The hypotheses tested were: 1) certain colors strongly promote spotted wing drosophila alightment, while others do not, 2) spotted wing drosophila responds differently to visual targets varying in color (reflected wavelength composition) and not just brightness of the corresponding black and white image, and 3) certain colors are preferred irrespective of whether the background shifts from light to dark
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