Abstract
Aim of study: To determine how susceptible the most used Southern highbush blueberry (SHB) cultivars were to the spotted wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) as well as those recently introduced to Southwestern Spain.Area of study: Southwestern Spain (Huelva province).Material and methods: Nine of the SHB cultivars which were recently introduced in Southwestern Spain and the most used ones were selected: ‘Arana’, ‘Camellia’, ‘Kirra’, ‘Mayra’, ‘Misty’, ‘O'Neal’, ‘Sharpblue’, ‘Star’ and ‘Ventura’. In order to determine how susceptible the cultivars were to SWD, no-choice tests were performed under laboratory conditions. In addition, berry size, berry firmness, ºBrix, and pH were recorded in order to assess what influence these variables had on oviposition preference by SWD.Main results: Mean clutch size and mean number of emerged adults in ‘Star’ were significantly higher than in the other tested cultivars. ‘Mayra’, ‘Camellia’ and ‘Ventura’ received the lower clutch sizes and mean number of emerged adults. Mean developmental time (egg to adult) differed significantly among tested cultivars and were highest in ‘Camellia’ than in the other tested cultivars. Only firmness and pH were correlated with SWD infestation as females tend to oviposit more eggs in softer fruits than in firmer fruits. Results also showed that a higher pH increased the emergence of adults and shortened the egg to adult developmental time.Research highlights: Our results showed significant differences in the susceptibility of SHB to SWD. This information may help design IPM programs and in making recommendations for blueberry crops as planting of low-chill cultivars expands.
Highlights
The spotted wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is an invasive frugivorous pest native to South East Asia, which was first detected in Southern Europe (Spain andItaly) and continental USA in 2008, and currently affects a wide range of important crops in Europe and America, especially berries (Asplen et al, 2015)
Material and methods: Nine of the Southern highbush blueberry cultivars (SHB) cultivars which were recently introduced in Southwestern Spain and the most used ones were selected: ‘Arana’, ‘Camellia’, ‘Kirra’, ‘Mayra’, ‘Misty’, ‘O'Neal’, ‘Sharpblue’, ‘Star’ and ‘Ventura’
Southern highbush blueberry cultivars (SHB) are tetraploid interspecific hybrids developed in the USA by adding genes from several blueberry species to the Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)
Summary
The spotted wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is an invasive frugivorous pest native to South East Asia, which was first detected in Southern Europe Among the wide range of SWD hosts, blueberries are one of the most susceptible crops (Cini et al, 2012; Gargani et al, 2013) and 30%–40% of production is lost. Southern highbush blueberry cultivars (SHB) are tetraploid interspecific hybrids developed in the USA by adding genes from several blueberry species to the Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). As it has lower chilling requirements and ripens earlier, SHB can be planted in drier and hotter climates (Lang, 1993; Brevis et al, 2008). Blueberry traits (fresh weight, firmness, pH and sugar content) were recorded in order to assess what influence these variables had on oviposition preference by SWD
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