Abstract
Simple SummaryThe spotted-wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii is an invasive small fruit fly that causes extensive damage to many fruit crops. To control this pest, the use of aromatic plants essential oils (EOs) is gaining importance since they are bioactive, biodegradable, and ecologically safe. However, despite of the EOs proved efficacy, they still do not have a widespread application due to their high volatility, composition variability and especially their strong smell. In this study we evaluated not only the EOs bioactivity but also their effects on the organoleptic profile of treated fruits. We tested two EOs extracted from mandarin (Citrus reticulata) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) very different for composition and smell. Both the EOs were effective in repelling D. suzukii. However, while no negative effects on the organoleptic profiles were detected for the fruits treated with Citrus reticulata EO, the fruits treated with M. alternifolia EO were defined by the panel of experts as “not suitable for consumption”. Overall, our findings indicate that the use of EOs for the post-harvest protection of small fruits is feasible, provided that the EOs have been selected not only for their bioactivity against the insect pest but also for their affinity with the consumers’ sensorial system.The essential oils extracted from mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) fruits, and from tea tree (Maleleuca alternifolia (Maiden and Betche) Cheel) leaves have been chemically analyzed and tested for their bioactivity against D. suzukii. Besides, to estimate consumers’ acceptability of the essential oil (EO) treatments, we evaluated their impact on the organoleptic characteristics of the EO-treated fruits. The main chemical constituents of the two EOs were 1,8-cineole and 4-terpineol for M. alternifolia (22.4% and 17.6% of the total components, respectively), and limonene (83.6% of the total components) for C. reticulata. The behavioral tests indicate that the two EOs are able to deter D. suzukii oviposition and that D. suzukii shows positive chemotaxis to low concentrations of the EOs and negative chemotaxis when the EO concentration increases. While no negative effects on the organoleptic profiles were detected for fruits treated with C. reticulata EO, the olfactory profile of fruits treated with M. alternifolia EO was so negative that they were defined as “not suitable for consumption” by panellists. Overall, our findings indicate that the use of EOs for the post-harvest protection of small fruits is feasible, provided that the essential oils are selected not only for their bioactivity against the insect pest but also for their affinity with the consumers’ sensorial system.
Highlights
The spotted-wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive small fruit fly native to South-East Asia and spread into Western countries, causing extensive damage to many fruit crops
essential oil (EO) Chemical Composition In M. alternifolia EO, 51 chemical constituents were identified, accounting for 96.3% of the entire oil components, while 24 constituents were identified in C. reticulata EO, accounting for 99.9% of the whole oil
The tests performed by the two-way olfactometer showed that both EOs exerted a repellent or attractive effect against D. suzukii adults, depending on the concentration: at the highest EO tested concentration, a significant repellent effect was observed, while at lower concentrations we observed a significant attractive effect
Summary
The spotted-wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive small fruit fly native to South-East Asia and spread into Western countries, causing extensive damage to many fruit crops. D. suzukii infests a wide range of soft-skinned fruit crops, as well as an ever-growing list of wild fruits [10,11,12,13,14]. The substantial economic losses caused by D. suzukii to the fruit industry are primarily due to the oviposition behavior of the species, which chooses ripening fruits as oviposition sites, on the basis of chemical and mechanical cues, unlike other Drosophila species, which prefer decaying or rotten fruits [15]
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