The economic impact of invasive pest Drosophila suzukii on berry production in the Province of Trento, Italy

Abstract

Abstract. BACKGROUND:The fly Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an endemic pest, native to Southern Asia which has recently invaded western countries. Since its detection in 2008 in California and Spain, it is now established in North America and in many European countries. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to evaluate the pest's economic impact on the soft fruit industry in the Province of Trento, a region in the North East of Italy, which is one of the most productive soft fruit areas in Europe. METHODS: The evaluation takes into account both the growers' potential revenue losses and the costs of pest control and uses a partial budgeting approach. Two scenarios are evaluated: the one before and the one after the implementation of an integrated control strategy for D. suzukii. RESULTS: Before the adoption of an integrated pest control strategy, the estimated revenue losses amounted to about 13% of the industry's output. After the implementation of an integrated strategy this loss decreased to about 7% of the industry's output. CONCLUSIONS: The adopted strategy seems effective in mitigating the pest's economic impact. The knowledge about D. suzukii's impact and its management would benefit from further analysis encompassing a larger geographical scope and longer time series.

Cost–benefit analysis of controlling the spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura)) spread and infestation of soft fruits in Trentino, Northern Italy

“…Trentino is one of the main production areas for soft fruits in Italy, accounting for an estimated 51% of Italian blueberry production in 2011, and for 40% of Italian raspberry production . Its produce is sold mainly on the domestic market . We assume that the demand for Trentino soft fruits is perfectly elastic, which means that a change in the price of the commodity has a noticeably negative effect on the quantity demanded.…”

“…From these, and probably because of the low damage to production that was estimated for the period 2000–2012, the derived economic impact was seen to be reduced under a pest management strategy based on the use of insecticides, as the benefits of the intervention outweighed its cost . In fact, the economic impact of the pest in Trentino declined from an estimated 13% of potential revenue in the absence of management to 7% under an IPM strategy based on mass trapping, field sanitation and insecticide use . Moreover, in the USA, it was found that additional indirect effects on yield losses were produced, on the one hand, by the increase in commodity prices, which led to reduced revenue losses, and on the other hand, by potential labour shortages following reductions in wages, which made it more difficult for farmers to find workers for their fields …”

Susceptibility of cold hardy grapes to Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

“…; De Ros et al. ). The species was first detected in the Upper Midwest in Wisconsin and Michigan in 2010, where it is now a major pest of blueberries ( Vaccinium spp.)…”

Economic Impact of the Introduction and Establishment of Drosophila suzukii on Sweet Cherry Production in Switzerland

“…However, the analysis was limited to aggregated levels and neglected the costs of pest control. In a follow-up study, updated information was provided on infestation and damage recorded for the same region and crops over the period 2011–2013, and D. suzukii control costs were included [10]. Costs for materials, labour and infrastructure to implement surveillance, sanitation and pest control measures added up to total potential damage costs of one million EUR per year [10].…”

“…In a follow-up study, updated information was provided on infestation and damage recorded for the same region and crops over the period 2011–2013, and D. suzukii control costs were included [10]. Costs for materials, labour and infrastructure to implement surveillance, sanitation and pest control measures added up to total potential damage costs of one million EUR per year [10]. Ioriatti et al [11] estimated that in 2010 berry growers incurred a 25%–35% reduction of production value, depending on crops (more for blueberries and raspberries).…”