Drosophila suzukii in Southern Neotropical Region: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Non-native insect pests are often responsible for important damage to native and agricultural plant hosts. Since Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) has become an important pest in North America and Europe (i.e., in 2008), the global production of soft thin-skinned fruits has faced severe production losses. In the southern Neotropical region, however, the first record of D. suzukii occurred in 2013 in the south of Brazil. It has also been recorded in Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. Despite its recent occurrence in the southern Neotropical region, the fast dispersion of D. suzukii has inspired local research efforts in an attempt to mitigate the consequences of this insect pest invasion. In this forum, we explore the current status of D. suzukii in southern Neotropical regions, discussing its future perspectives. Additionally, we attempt to draft activities and a research agenda that may help to mitigate the losses caused by D. suzukii in native and commercial soft-skinned fruits produced in this region. Currently, D. suzukii appears to be well established in the south of Brazil, but considering the entire southern Neotropical region, the invasion panorama is still underinvestigated. The lack of studies and regulatory actions against D. suzukii has contributed to the invasion success of this species in this region. Considering several peculiarities of both the pest biology and the environmental of this region, the authors advocate for the need of intensive and integrative studies toward the development and implementation of area-wide integrated pest management programs against D. suzukii in the southern Neotropical region.

New records of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in the South American continent

“…Concordia agree with the reports showing that D. suzukii can use hard skinned fruits as hosts, such as oranges, as long as they are overmature, decaying or previously damaged (see Vilela & Mori, 2014;Asplen et al, 2015;Andreazza et al, 2017 for reviews). The relative high abundance of D. suzukii that emerged from raspberries in Choele Choel and General Roca localities, 68% and 83% respectively ( Fig.…”

Mulching as a cultural control strategy for Drosophila suzukii in blueberry

“…The spotted‐wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is an invasive pest of berries and small fruit. Native to Asia, D. suzukii was first detected in North America and Europe in 2008, and in South America in 2013, spreading rapidly within and across these continents . In blueberries, female flies can lay eggs in the ripening fruit after the green‐pink stage .…”

Toxicity to and egg‐laying avoidance of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) caused by an old alternative inorganic insecticide preparation

“…In the global production of strawberries, as observed for fields of other soft‐skinned fruits, recent invasions of the spotted‐wing drosophila , Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), have elevated these flies to one of the most prevalent strawberry pests . However, despite recent efforts aimed at developing other management strategies, e.g., potential parasitoids, mass trapping and physical exclusion (netting), the application of synthetic insecticides remains the most used tool for the management of D. suzukii , , .…”