Invasive Spotted Wing Drosophila Research Articles

Efficacy and Economic Viability of Organic Control Methods for Spotted-wing Drosophila in Day-neutral Strawberry Production in the Upper Midwest

Day-neutral strawberry (DNS) production is increasing in the Upper Midwest because of its extended harvest season and greater yield over June-bearing cultivars. However, the longer season increases fruit exposure to the invasive spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii; SWD), which threatens the production of small fruits and berries, particularly in organic systems. Numerous pest management tactics have been developed for SWD in recent years; however, relatively few studies have investigated the impact of SWD on DNS. Organic DNS growers need information regarding which management strategy is most effective when compared directly. To address this knowledge gap, we established a 2-year controlled field experiment with organic DNS. We applied treatments that correspond with techniques that local growers reported using or that have shown promise for organic raspberries, including increased harvest frequency, botanical-based repellents, and weekly rotations of organic insecticides, which we compared with an untreated control. We hypothesized that noninsecticidal SWD management strategies would result in fewer SWD eggs per berry and a lower proportion of infested berries compared with those associated with an untreated control. We also hypothesized that noninsecticidal management strategies would be as effective and cost less than organic insecticide applications. We collected data regarding labor hours, direct costs, strawberry yield, and SWD infestation in experimental plots on certified organic land in Minnesota in 2022 and 2023. An average of 33% of strawberries contained SWD eggs. The experimental treatments showed inconsistent effectiveness for reducing infestation compared with that of the untreated control plots and had no effect on marketable plant yield over the 2-year period. Thus, the added labor expense of these pest control treatments yielded net returns that were 17% to 21% below the control. Labor-saving alternatives like exclusion netting or postharvest cold treatments, which reduce fruit pest exposure and egg viability without harming nontarget insects, may offer more cost-effective solutions for managing SWD in organic DNS.

Effects of nonnutritive sugar inclusion in laboratory diets and attracticidal spheres on survivorship and mobility of 2 Dipteran species, Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae).

Native apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella, and invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, are key pests of apple and small fruit, respectively, in the United States. Both species are typically managed with standard insecticide applications. However, interest in alternative strategies that result in insecticide reductions has led to evaluations of nonnutritive sugars as toxicants for Drosophila species and development of attracticidal spheres for both species. Here, we evaluated the survivorship of R. pomonella and D. suzukii when provided with standard diets that substituted saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, erythritol, dextrose, or mannitol for the sucrose component and compared them with standard diets and water-only controls for up to 15 days. Presence of erythritol and mannitol significantly decreased survivorship of R. pomonella and erythritol significantly decreased the survivorship of D. suzukii. However, mobility trials following a 2 h exposure to aqueous solutions of each sugar treatment resulted in no strong impact on either species. Survivorship after 30 min exposure to erythritol or mannitol alone, or in combination with varying concentrations of sucrose (serving as a phagostimulant) at 30 min and 24 h were evaluated for both species. Only D. suzukii survivorship was affected with decreased survivorship on erythritol:sucrose solutions of 20:0% and 15:5% for 24 h. Based on all results, erythritol appeared most promising, and was integrated into attracticidal spheres as a toxicant but even at the highest concentration, survivorship remained unaffected for either species, thus making this nonnutritive sugar impractical and ineffective as a toxicant substitute in attracticidal spheres.

Comparison of multimodal attract-and-kill formulations for managing Drosophila suzukii: Behavioral and lethal effects

Attract-and-kill (A&K) is a potential alternative control tactic for managing the invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura. Here, we compared the efficacy of two novel A&K formulations based on proprietary blends–ACTTRA SWD OR1 (henceforth OR1) and ACTTRA SWD TD (henceforth TD)–in managing D. suzukii. Using two-choice bioassays, we compared OR1 and TD for their relative attractiveness to adult D. suzukii. Additionally, we tested how the addition of (1) a red dye (visual cue) and (2) the insecticide spinosad (Entrust™) to the OR1 and TD formulations influenced the attraction of adult D. suzukii in the presence of blueberry fruits. Finally, complementary laboratory efficacy (no-choice) bioassays were conducted to assess the mortality of adult D. suzukii exposed to OR1 and TD. A direct comparison between TD and OR1 formulations indicated the TD formulation was ~8 times more attractive than OR1. Adding a red dye to the TD or OR1 formulation did not significantly alter the attraction or mortality of adult D. suzukii compared to the formulation without a dye. Similarly, irrespective of dye status, adding spinosad to either the TD or OR1 formulation did not alter the adult D. suzukii behavioral response to these formulations but resulted in significantly higher D. suzukii mortality. Overall, the TD formulations resulted in significantly higher, or at least comparable, mortality to the OR1 formulations. In summary, our laboratory results demonstrated the higher efficacy of a TD-based A&K product in managing D. suzukii over its well-tested predecessor, the OR1 formulation, confirming its potential as a new behavioral tactic against this pest.

Assessing potential hybridization between a hypothetical gene drive-modified Drosophila suzukii and nontarget Drosophila species.

Genetically engineered gene drives (geGD) are potentially powerful tools for suppressing or even eradicating populations of pest insects. Before living geGD insects can be released into the environment, they must pass an environmental risk assessment to ensure that their release will not cause unacceptable harm to non-targeted entities of the environment. A key research question concerns the likelihood that nontarget species will acquire the functional GD elements; such acquisition could lead to reduced abundance or loss of those species and to a disruption of the ecosystem services they provide. The main route for gene flow is through hybridization between the geGD insect strain and closely related species that co-occur in the area of release and its expected dispersal. Using the invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, as a case study, we provide a generally applicable strategy on how a combination of interspecific hybridization experiments, behavioral observations, and molecular genetic analyses can be used to assess the potential for hybridization.

Factors Influencing the Efficacy of Novel Attract-and-Kill (ACTTRA SWD) Formulations Against Drosophila suzukii.

In the continental United States, the invasive spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, has become a primary pest of multiple stone and soft-skinned fruits. A new innovative adjuvant formulation, ACTTRA SWD, mixed with a suitable insecticide, constitutes a novel attract-and-kill tactic to manage D. suzukii in fruit crops. We hypothesized that background odors present in crop fields, particularly odors from host fruits, negatively affect the effectiveness of this attract-and-kill formulation, as odors from these sources can compete for insect attraction. Additionally, we evaluated the influence of adult D. suzukii sex and physiological status (age and mating status), and fruit ripeness on its response to the ACTTRA SWD formulation. For this, we used two-choice bioassays to test the response of adult D. suzukii to three ACTTRA SWD formulations (named OR1, TD, and HOOK SWD) in the presence and absence of host fruits (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries). Odors from raspberries were significantly more attractive than those from the TD formulation mixed with spinosad (Entrust). For the HOOK SWD formulation and OR1+Entrust formulation, odors from all the fruit types tested were significantly more attractive than the adjuvants. Compared with females, male D. suzukii were more attracted to the TD formulation over the blueberry fruits. Additionally, age and female mating status but not fruit ripeness influenced D. suzukii attraction to both OR1 and TD formulations. The results from this study indicate that D. suzukii physiological status and host fruit availability impact the efficacy of new attract-and-kill adjuvants such as ACTTRA SWD.

Plastic mulches reduce adult and larval populations of Drosophila suzukii in fall-bearing raspberry

The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is a major pest of fruit crops worldwide. Management of D. suzukii relies heavily on chemical control in both organic and conventional systems, and there is a need to develop more sustainable management practices. We evaluated the efficacy of three colors of plastic mulches at reducing populations of D. suzukii in fall-bearing raspberry and assessed the mulches’ impacts on canopy microclimate factors relevant to D. suzukii. Black, white, and metallic plastic mulches reduced adult D. suzukii populations by 42–51% and larval populations by 52–72% compared to the grower standard. The mulches did not change canopy temperature or relative humidity, but metallic mulches increased canopy light intensity compared to the black mulch. Radiance in the visible spectrum (401–680 nm) was higher for the white and metallic mulch plots, but the black mulch plots did not differ from the control. In the UV spectrum (380–400 nm), all three plastic mulches had higher radiance than the control plots. Future studies will determine whether changes in radiance are associated with the observed reduction in D. suzukii populations. Plastic mulches are a promising cultural practice for managing D. suzukii since they can reduce adult and larval populations and could be incorporated into an integrated pest management program in both organic and conventional systems.

Genome editing efficiency of four Drosophila suzukii endogenous U6 promoters.

The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) has caused serious economic losses to the fruit industry. The conventional control methods have many limitations and genetic engineering technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene drive are promising approaches. In the CRISPR/Cas9 system, the transcriptional regulatory elements play an important role in the activities of gRNA. Thus, in order to improve the genome editing efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in D. suzukii, we cloned and tested four endogenous U6 promoters to drive mutagenesis of the white gene. Our results showed that all the four promoters could be used with variable efficiency. The promoter DsU6-3 had the highest genome editing efficiency among the four DsU6 promoters. Compared with the DsU6-3 promoter, the DmU6:3 promoter showed lower efficiency to drive mutagenesis in D. suzukii. These findings expand the range of promoters available to express gRNAs in D. suzukii, facilitating the basic and applied research on this important pest.

Field and Laboratory Testing of Feeding Stimulants to Enhance Insecticide Efficacy Against Spotted-Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura).

The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), is a key insect pest of berries globally, causing lost revenues and increased production costs associated with applications of insecticides. The insecticides utilized are commonly broad-spectrum pyrethroids, organophosphates, or carbamates in conventionally managed fields and spinosad in organically managed fields. Adoption of more selective insecticides has been limited due to their lower residual activity, and the requirement that some must be ingested to be effective. We investigated the use of feeding stimulants for D. suzukii as a method to improve longevity and efficacy in a range of insecticides. In laboratory bioassays, sugar increased the efficacy of all chemical classes tested; however, the inclusion of yeast only showed a benefit with malathion. Feeding stimulants had a limited effect in some cases under field conditions. Similarly, infestation in field plots and a semifield bioassay showed no significant decreases in infestation with the inclusion of feeding stimulants for the insecticides tested in these trials. We discuss the implications of these findings for managing D. suzukii in fruit crops to help ensure the harvest of marketable fruit.

Evidence for a cryptic parasitoid species reveals its suitability as a biological control agent

Uncertainty about the taxonomic status and the specificity of a species commonly prevent its consideration as a candidate for biological control of pest organisms. Here we use a combination of molecular analysis and crossing experiments to gather evidence that the parasitoid wasp Ganaspis brasiliensis, a candidate for biological control of the invasive spotted wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii, is a complex of at least two cryptic species. Complementary experiments demonstrate that individuals from one genetic group readily parasitize several drosophila species regardless of their food source while individuals from the other one are almost exclusively specific to larvae feeding in ripening fruits. Because only D. suzukii attacks ripening fruits in its area of invasion, parasitoids from this second group appear to be well suited as a biological control agent. Our study demonstrates the need for a combination of biosystematics with biological and ecological investigations for the development of safe and efficient biological control programs.

Agricultural-Grade Apple Cider Vinegar Is Remarkably Attractive to Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophiliadae) in Mexico.

Due to its availability and low cost, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a frequently used as an attractant for monitoring the invasive spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii. In laboratory cage experiments, the attraction of ACV alone was compared with ACV in mixtures with different concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, different hydrolyzed proteins, synthetic fruit flavors (strawberry, blackberry and apple) and the addition of fruit nectars (grape, pineapple and apple). The addition of 5% apple nectar to ACV significantly increased fly captures, whereas other combinations were similar to or less attractive than ACV alone. Apple flavored vinegar was not attractive to flies. Captures did not vary significantly among the brands of ACV commonly sold in Mexico, except for one poorly-performing brand, but cup traps baited with an agricultural-grade ACV unfit for human consumption captured approximately two-fold more flies than the commercial attractants Suzukii Trap, Suzukii Trap Max Captures or ACV alone in cage experiments. Field trials performed in polytunnels planted with raspberry crops in Mexico resulted in two-fold to ten-fold higher numbers of D. suzukii captured by the agricultural-grade ACV compared to Droskidrink (a mixture of ACV, red wine and sugar), Suzukii Trap, Suzukii Trap Max Captures or edible grade ACV alone. The species selectivity of the agricultural grade ACV was similar to that of other attractants tested. Agricultural-grade ACV also captured higher numbers of female than male flies in field trials. We conclude that the remarkably high attractiveness and low cost of agricultural-grade ACV makes it a useful tool for monitoring D. suzukii populations in berry crops.

Effect of Irradiation on Wing Morphology of Drosophila suzukii1

The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931), affects fruit with a thin epidermis and causes great loss of production. In Mexico, it is regulated because of its economic damage. Relevance of the sterile insect technique has been analyzed for integrated pest management (IPM) against D. suzukii through study of effects of irradiation doses on control. Possible effect of irradiation at 200 Gy with Cobalt-60, sex, and condition (wild and reared on artificial diet) on wing morphology were analyzed by geometric morphometry analysis. No effect on wing morphology by irradiation was observed, however, significant differences were found in the centroid size of wild females compared with irradiated and non-irradiated females fed artificial diet (F147,2 = 67.45, P < 0.0001), and they had no significant difference (F144,2 = 0.81, P = 0.4477) in Procrustes distances. Wild males had significant differences in centroid size (F147,2 = 59.55, P <0.0001) and Procruste distances (F144,2 = 3.49, P = 0.0330) compared to irradiated and non-irradiated males fed artificial diet. Changes in the wing of D. suzukii were more related with diets of insects in immature stages. Complementary studies on artificial diets are suggested to produce insects with dimensions similar to wild specimens.

Predicting Within- and Between-Year Variation in Activity of the Invasive Spotted Wing Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in a Temperate Region.

Invasive insect pests can be challenging to manage because their recent arrival provides limited information on which to build predictive population models. The magnitude and timing of activity by the invasive vinegar fly, Drosophila suzukii, in crop fields has been unpredictable due to its recent arrival in many new regions of the world and changes in methods for its detection. Using 7 yr of consistent trapping of adults at four blueberry farms in Michigan, United States, we modeled the temporal and environmental factors influencing D. suzukii activity. We found that this pest established high levels within 2 yr of being detected, with peak fly activity continuing to increase. Fly activity timing and abundance were predicted by the annual number of days below 0°C, the number of winter and spring days above 10°C, and by the fly activity in the preceding year, providing support for overwintering in our region. We monitored larval infestation for 4 yr at these same sites and found a moderate positive correlation between larvae in fruit and adults in traps. Finally, we developed a generalized additive model to predict D. suzukii fly capture throughout the season based on relevant environmental factors and examined the relative timing and magnitude of activity under varying winter and spring temperature conditions. Our results suggest that D. suzukii activity is predictable and that environmental conditions can be used in temperate regions to provide regional risk warnings as a component of strategies to manage this invasive insect pest.

Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Host-Related Foraging Odor-Cue Combinations to Attract Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae).

The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), is a major pest of soft-skinned fruits. Since its introduction into North America and Europe, significant progress has been made in understanding the volatile cues used by this fly during food, oviposition site, and mate finding. Despite this progress, commercially available lures are non-selective. Here, we tested two Hanseniaspora uvarum (Niehaus) yeast compounds (isoamyl acetate and isobutyl acetate) and a leaf compound β-cyclocitral alone and in combination with a blend of four fermentation compounds ('Fermentation lure': acetic acid, ethanol, methionol, and acetoin) to improve D. suzukii attraction and selectivity. In laboratory assays, males and females were attracted to all seven individual compounds, although in electrophysiological assays, their antennae exhibited a dose-dependent response to only four of these compounds. In two-choice cage studies, the Fermentation lure was more attractive to D. suzukii than water controls, whereas β-cyclocitral and the mixture of isoamyl acetate and isobutyl acetate were not attractive in this larger-cage study. Moreover, adding the two-component H. uvarum compound blend to the Fermentation lure reduced D. suzukii attraction to the Fermentation blend. When these experiments were repeated in blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and cherry orchards across several states in the United States over 2 yr, similar outcomes were observed: β-cyclocitral or the mixture of the H. uvarum blend did not improve the attractiveness of the Fermentation lure or its selectivity. This study demonstrates that cues from different sources may interfere with each other and reduce D. suzukii attraction to otherwise attractive odor combinations.

Factors affecting the biology of Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a parasitoid of spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).

Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae is a wasp that parasitizes and host-feeds on pupae of the invasive spotted-wing drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii). Few studies have addressed interactions between these two species and little is known about the potential of this parasitoid as a biocontrol agent of SWD and the different variables that may affect it. Here, we investigated the impact of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on life-history traits of P. vindemmiae. Both constant (entire adulthood) and limited (30 minutes) supplies of water + honey, honey, or host increased parasitoid survival compared to controls (water or fasting). Water + honey caused the highest parasitoid survivals (35-60 days), independent of supply period, sex, and host availability. Females were intrinsically more resistant to water- and honey-deprivation than males, and host-feeding elevated such resistance even higher. Constant honey supply (either with or without water) supported the highest host-killing capacities (= capacity to kill hosts) (ca. 600 SWD pupae/wasp). However, in young females (4-9 days old), the impact of honey availability (with or without water) was insignificant while water deprivation (either with or without honey) caused the highest host-killing potential. This indicates that although sugar becomes a critical nutritional resource as females age, young females depend more on water than sugar to reproduce. Neither water nor honey affected the sex ratio of young females, but when we considered the entire adulthood, the availability of honey caused the lowest proportion of females (0.50), independent of water availability. Neither water nor honey affected parasitoid emergence rate (0.97), independent of female age. Based on survival and host-killing capacity, we conclude that P. vindemmiae has a tremendous biocontrol potential against SWD. Both limited and constant supply of water, sugar, and host increase parasitoid survival, while constant supply of water and/or honey enhance its host-killing potential and decrease sex ratio depending on maternal age.

Electropenetrography of spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) on pesticide-treated strawberry

Many behaviors are associated with host selection by arthropod pests. The treatment of a host, such as with a pesticide, may impact behaviors involved in this selection whose understanding yields opportunities for pest management. AC–DC electropenetrography (EPG) allows real-time monitoring of insect behaviors, but its use has emphasized feeding activities of hemipteroid insects. Recent improvement in electropenetrography (AC–DC) has made it amenable for use with non-hemipteroid species, such as the invasive spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii). Therefore, AC–DC EPG was used for the first quantitative study of a non-hemipteroid insect to monitor behaviors of spotted wing drosophila on strawberry fruits treated with either the fungicide fenhexamid or the insecticide spinetoram, in addition to a non-treated control. EPG was used to characterize three behavioral phases of the insect: non-probing (i.e., resting, grooming, and walking), feeding, and egg-laying. The first two phases were affected by sublethal pesticide exposure, but egg-laying was not. Both pesticides decreased the number of non-probing events, but increased their overall durations, while the opposite took place with feeding, especially in spinetoram-treated strawberry. Regarding feeding activity, both pesticides compromised insect dabbing and ingestion with particularly strong impairment by spinetoram, which also compromised how long the females survived (i.e., longevity). EPG revealed valuable insights regarding the behavioral assessment of pesticide-treated hosts by an insect pest. Specifically, the feeding of female of spotted wing drosophila was significantly impaired on strawberries treated with spinetoram compromising female longevity. Though deserving further attention, the fungicide fenhexamid exhibited a relatively mild effect on feeding, but did not affect adult longevity.

Life history of Vrestovia fidenas, a potential control agent of Drosophila suzukii

Vrestovia fidenas (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a pupal parasitoid of Drosophila spp. native to Europe and could be useful for the biological control of the invasive spotted-wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). We assessed life-table parameters (fecundity and longevity of adults, and weight and developmental time of offspring) of V. fidenas on two hosts: D. suzukii and the common native vinegar fly, Drosophila subobscura Collin (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Drosophila suzukii was determined to be a suitable host for V. fidenas and a better host than D. subobscura, i.e., V. fidenas produced more offspring and developed more rapidly on D. suzukii than on D. subobscura. The results indicate that V. fidenas should be further assessed for the biological control of D. suzukii. In addition, morphological analysis demonstrated that a second species of the genus Vrestovia, V. brevior, is also present in Europe. We present an identification key to the most common pteromalid pupal parasitoids of Drosophila, including both species of Vrestovia.

Host location and dispersal ability of the cosmopolitan parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae released to control the invasive spotted wing Drosophila

Biological control remains unutilized as yet in the framework of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura management. Although several parasitoid species attack the pest under laboratory conditions, information is lacking on their host-finding and dispersal capabilities in natural environments. We tested the effect of repeated parasitoid releases on D. suzukii populations in infested orchards. The pupal parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae (Perkins) was released on different crops at eight sites. Parasitism was monitored using traps placed at various distances from the parasitoid release point (RP). A second experiment was carried out under semi-field conditions to evaluate augmentation of the parasitoid. In both experiments, D. suzukii infestation was evaluated through fruit samplings, both from the plant, and from the ground. In the open field trials, T. drosophilae attacked D. suzukii in traps up to 40 m away from the RP, and pest emergence was significantly reduced within a radius of 10 m at seven out of eight sites. In the semi-field trials, parasitoid releases significantly reduced D. suzukii emergence from ground-sampled fruit, and augmentation enhanced parasitism, increasing the numbers of parasitoids emerging from host pupae. Although further field studies are required, these results suggest that T. drosophilae may be considered a potential biocontrol agent for D. suzukii.

Screening small fruit germplasm for resistance to southern populations of invasive spotted wing drosophila, SWD (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Screening small fruit germplasm for resistance to southern populations of invasive spotted wing drosophila, SWD (<i>Diptera</i>: <i>Drosophilidae</i>)

Innate Olfactory Responses of Asobara japonica Toward Fruits Infested by the Invasive Spotted Wing Drosophila

Insect parasitoids are often manipulated to improve biological control programs for various arthropod pests. Volatile compounds can be a relevant cue used by most parasitoid hymenoptera for host or host microhabitat location. Here, we studied olfactory responses of the braconid Asobara japonica Belokobylskij, an Asiatic endoparasitoid of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), toward its host and host substrates. Adult A. japonica displayed an innate attraction to undescribed volatile cues from infested host fruits irrespectively of the juvenile rearing experience, i.e. they respond to a novel cue subsequently used for microhabitat selection. These data suggest that A. japonica parasitoids mass-reared on artificial diet and factitious host (D. melanogaster) can successfully locate their hosts. Naive female parasitoids did not show a preference towards any of the tested host media. However, the enforced adult experience with the rearing host medium modified the olfactory preference patterns toward non-natal host fruits. These findings provide evidence of associative learning during the adult stage of A. japonica, and demonstrate its plasticity in exploiting the volatiles from various fruits infested by D. suzukii.

Demographic potential of the pupal parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) reared on Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Parasitoids represent a potential tool to control the invasive spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, which has invaded Europe and America, recently. A good example is the pupal parasitoid, Trichopria drosophilae, would be an effective biocontrol agent. Populations of D. suzukii, and T. drosophilae were collected from a blueberry orchard in East China and reared in the laboratory at 25°C. Life table and population growth data for T. drosophilae were obtained using D. suzukii pupae as a host. Mean adult longevity was 22.40d and 26.45d, for females and males respectively. The mean oviposition period was 18.20d. The daily mean parasitization rate was 9.47% per female when 30 hosts were daily provided. The total number of T. drosophilae offspring throughout a lifetime was 63.45 per female, and the female offspring proportion was 65.06%. The intrinsic rate of natural increase and the finite rate of increase were 0.18 and 1.19, respectively. The generation time and the population doubling time were 21.29d and 3.91d, respectively. Our results suggest that T. drosophilae population differed among populations in population growth parameters, and those from China also has the parasitism potential to control D. suzukii.