Peppermint essential oil inhibits Drosophila suzukii emergence but reduces Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae parasitism rates

Abstract

Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii; Matsumura) is an invasive fruit fly with the ability to oviposit in a broad range of agriculturally valuable fruits. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by botanical oils may reduce D. suzukii’s attraction to hosts and decrease survival, but it is unknown whether their efficacy varies across D. suzukii life stages or affects the survival and success of higher trophic levels. Through a series of laboratory bioassays, we evaluated the effects of peppermint (Mentha arvensis L.) oil produced VOCs on D. suzukii survival and the survival of and parasitism rates by a pupal parasitoid wasp, Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani). First, we determined whether fumigation with peppermint oil VOCs at the pupal stage reduced adult emergence, and whether this depended on environmental conditions (i.e. soil moisture). Second, we evaluated whether fumigation with peppermint oil VOCs reduced or enhanced parasitism by the pupal parasitoid and whether this depended on the timing of peppermint oil VOC exposure (i.e. before, during, or after parasitoid access). Fumigation with VOCs of 4.5 mg of peppermint oil reduced D. suzukii emergence under moist soil conditions but dry soil had a similar effect on reducing adult emergence as peppermint oil presence. Peppermint oil VOC fumigation was toxic to adult P. vindemmiae, but developing P. vindemmiae were unaffected by peppermint oil VOC fumigation. Using peppermint essential oil as a fumigant may reduce D. suzukii emergence from the pupal stage. However, this could negatively impact P. vindemmiae dependent on the timing of application.

Deterrent Effects of Essential Oils on Spotted-Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii): Implications for Organic Management in Berry Crops

“…One such study showed that lavender oil may be a viable fumigant for SWD due to the monoterpene components 1,8-cineole, carene, and linalool [32]. Additionally, Gowton et al [46] found that fewer SWD pupae in the soil reached adulthood when they were treated with peppermint oil fumigation. Other botanically derived chemicals, such as methyl benzoate, may be more effective as insecticides.…”

Intercropping With Peppermint Increases Ground Dwelling Insect and Pollinator Abundance and Decreases Drosophila suzukii in Fruit

“…is an aromatic crop for use in essential oil production as it yields high quantities of VOCs, including menthol (Santoro et al, 2011). In the laboratory, peppermint essential oil volatiles deterred D. suzukii adults up to 6 days after application (Renkema et al, 2016) and reduced adult emergence from pupae (Gowton et al, 2020). These results suggest that intercropping with volatile producing companion crops, such as peppermint, may similarly disrupt host finding or reproductive behavior of D. suzukii.…”

Essential Oils as a Source of Ecofriendly Insecticides for Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and Their Potential Non-Target Effects

“…In addition to the toxicity of the studied EOs on D. suzukii , it is also necessary to consider the natural enemies used to manage these pest populations [ 17 , 31 , 43 ]. According to our results, all analyzed EOs caused low mortality in T. anastrephae adults through topical application and ingestion bioassays.…”

“…(Piperaceae) and Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) had low side effects on T. anastrephae and high toxicity on D. suzukii . The management of D. suzukii by control strategies using EOs could be more compatible with biological control methods than conventional insecticides, resulting in safe programs for integrated pest management [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…However, the dependence on synthetic insecticides has been a cause of concern. This has been demonstrated by the negative impact on beneficial insects [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], the presence of chemical residues in fruits [ 19 ], and the selection of resistant populations of D. suzukii [ 14 , 20 ]. Continuous applications of insecticides such as spinosad have led to the evolution of pest resistance [ 15 , 21 ].…”