HOST SUSCEPTIBILITY OF 'FRENCH PRUNE' PRUNUS DOMESTICA TO DROSOPHILA SUZUKII (DIPTERA: DROSOPHILIDAE)

Abstract

Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, invaded North America in 2008. In contrast to other Drosophila species, D. suzukii preferentially infests ripe fruits with its serrated ovipositor which can create commercially unmarketable fruit. As D. suzukii is reported to infest a variety of hosts, especially stone fruits and berries, growers are encouraged to monitor for D. suzukii to help prevent crop damage. We specifically tested the host susceptibility of Prunus domestica ‘French prune’ to D. suzukii in a no-choice host experiment and observed its presence in a mixed cultivar plum block. Few flies completed development within ‘French prune’ in a no choice experiment, demonstrating that it may not be a suitable host. D. suzukii adult captures were greatest at the beginning and end of plum season, with minimal captures throughout late summer, early fall, and winter. Therefore, while D. suzukii trapping may indicate presence of flies within the area, it may not correlate with fruit infestation.