Global analysis of the seasonal abundance of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii reveal temperature extremes determine population activity potential

Abstract

BACKGROUND The global pest spotted winged drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) continues to have a significant economic impact on fruit production in areas where it is established, in addition to newly invaded ranges. Management activities spanning national biosecurity responses to farm‐scale pest control are limited by the inability to predict the timing and severity of seasonal outbreaks of D. suzukii and its climatic drivers. RESULTS Here, we compiled and analysed data on international seasonal abundances for D. suzukii under different climates, crop types and management contexts to improve the predictability of seasonal population dynamics. In relating seasonal abundances to environmental predictors, specifically temperature, we found strong negative effects of exposure to high and low temperatures during the preceding month. Unlike most regional studies on D. suzukii phenology that focus on temperature in the physiological development range, we show that thermal extremes better explain seasonal population fluctuations. CONCLUSION Although trap catches remain an indirect measure of infestations and must be interpreted carefully in terms of crop risk, our results should support monitoring programmes through enhanced knowledge of the climatic factors affecting D. suzukii population activity. The negative impact of high temperatures suggests that late‐season management strategies focusing on manipulating crop microclimates to temperatures above 25 °C can reduce D. suzukii abundance. We show that early season abundance is modulated by climate, particularly the depth of cold extremes experienced in the preceding time interval. These associations may be further developed into early‐season crop risk forecasts to support monitoring programs. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Determinants of Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus exposure dynamics in Mediterranean environments

“…Species abundance data are generally limited in space and time, especially invertebrates. Only in cases where invertebrates are of conservation interest (Micó et al., 2013 ), or relevant as pests (Ørsted et al., 2021 ), or if they are vectors of health‐threatening pathogens (Jaenson et al., 2012 ), is there interest in promoting research on their spatial distribution and population dynamics. The emergence of CCHF in the Palaearctic and, more specifically, in the European Mediterranean (Estrada‐Peña et al., 2013 ), shows the need to better understand the ecology and population dynamics of Hyalomma spp.…”

Mapping the global distribution of invasive pest Drosophila suzukii and parasitoid Leptopilina japonica: implications for biological control

“…Limiting influence of winter temperatures on the establishment of D. suzukii populations is evident from the facts that prolonged low temperature exposure (<10°) is detrimental for its viability ( Dalton et al, 2011 ). A recent meta-analysis ( Ørsted et al, 2021 ) revealed that temperature extremes are highly significant in determining the survival and population activity of the species. Preference of D. suzukii for humid environments ( Gutierrez, Ponti & Dalton, 2016 ; Santos et al, 2017 ; Ørsted & Ørsted, 2019 ) was reflected in our models via high contributions of precipitation of driest quarter and precipitation of driest month.…”

The Influence of Daily Temperature Fluctuation on the Efficacy of Bioinsecticides on Spotted Wing Drosophila Larvae

“…In this study, we considered the issue of daily temperature fluctuations (DTFs) recently detected in temperate areas where a wide invasion of the alien insect D. suzukii has been observed [ 43 ]. Both the significant increase in temperature and the wider thermal ranges have increased the development and spread of this insect pest [ 50 , 51 ]. However, the knowledge of the effects of different thermal conditions on SWD biology, extremely important for determining the presence and risk of infestation of this dipteran and for developing more effective biocontrol strategies, is still scarce [ 31 ].…”