Automated aerosol puffers effectively deliver 1-OCTEN-3-OL, an oviposition antagonist useful against spotted-wing drosophila.

Abstract

Automated aerosol puffers releasing behaviorally active volatile organic compounds can deter insect pests in crops. During 2016, we tested the efficacy of aerosol puffer arrays emitting 1-octen-3-ol at reducing Drosophila suzukii oviposition in fall-bearing raspberries in Western New York State. During 2017, we compared the performance of aerosol puffers with a passive diffusion release method (vial dispensers), as well as puffer timing and placement within the field. During 2016, we found that octenol application in the field via aerosol puffer systems resulted in a 20% decrease in D. suzukii oviposition compared to control plots. During 2017, we found that aerosol puffers releasing octenol were 42-55% more effective than vial dispensers at deterring oviposition. We also found that a discontinuous application of octenol during dawn and dusk was sufficient to deter D. suzukii oviposition equivalent to continuous applications throughout the day. Although we observed no differences in infestation depending on puffer placement, low fly populations at the time of the trial may have affected the data. Our data indicate that automated aerosol puffer systems may reduce D. suzukii infestation to a greater extent than vial dispensers. If adopted, a discontinuous puffer release schedule may protect both economic and ecological interests by reducing the amount of material required to achieve efficacy. Further research on puffer placement is needed to determine whether perimeter applications are effective in larger scale field research and in combination with attractants as part of a push-pull management system.