Abstract
Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is a recent invasive pest of soft fruits in North and South America and Europe. Control relies on frequent applications of synthetic insecticides. Additional tactics are needed for development of an effective integrated pest management program. Study objectives were to evaluate the repellency and oviposition deterrent capability of compounds in plant essential oils and the effect of select compounds on infestation rates in strawberries, using laminate polymer flakes as a carrier. Of 14 compounds from 5 essential oils, thymol was the most repellent to adult D. suzukii males and females for up to 24 h in the laboratory. Citronellol, geraniol and menthol were moderately repellent. In a choice assay, thymol on cotton wicks adjacent to ripe raspberries reduced female fly landings and larval infestation levels. In a no-choice assay, thymol reduced female fly landings by 60%, larval infestation by 50% and increased fly mortality compared to controls. Neither citronellol alone nor a blend of four repellent compounds was as effective as thymol alone at reducing fly landing, larval infestation, or increasing fly mortality. In a choice assay using polymer flakes, larval infestation was greater in raspberries near untreated flakes than in raspberries near flakes treated with thymol or peppermint oil. In the field, thymol and peppermint flakes reduced larval infestation levels by 25% in strawberries at 4, but not 7, days after application, compared to untreated flakes. With future improvements in application strategies, deterrent compounds may have a role in improving the management of D. suzukii.
Highlights
Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), spotted-wing drosophila, has recently become a common and serious pest of temperate fruit crops in many regions of the world [1]
The first objective of the current study was to evaluate the repellency of major compounds present in plant essential oils that were previously shown to be repellent to D. suzukii flies [27]
Citronellol, the major compound in geranium oil (34%), and geraniol were significantly repellent to female flies at 6 h but lost repellency by 24 h
Summary
Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), spotted-wing drosophila, has recently become a common and serious pest of temperate fruit crops in many regions of the world [1]. Native to Asia, D. suzukii was first detected in California and Spain in 2008 and has since spread across North. Most of Europe and areas of South America [2,3,4]. Multiple, overlapping generations are the result of rapid population growth under optimal temperatures during summer months in most of the affected regions [5,6]. Crop damage is caused when adult female flies, using a serrated ovipositor, lay eggs in ripe and partially ripe fruit before harvest. Developing larvae cause soft, unmarketable fruit, leading to increased risk of secondary rot infections [7].
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