Persistence of three protein marks on Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura is likely invading berry and stone fruits from field margins containing Himalayan blackberry, Rubus armeniacus. This study was conducted to determine which protein insect marks are compatible with D. suzukii and its wild host, R. armeniacus. We sprayed 10% chicken egg white, 20% soy milk and 20% milk casein on D. suzukii in the laboratory and cultivated trailing blackberry in the field and evaluated mark persistence 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after application in April, May and June 2011. Treated leaves were exposed to flies for 1, 10 and 60 minutes. All flies were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chicken egg white was the most effective and persistent protein mark for D. suzukii in the Pacific Northwest climate. The egg white mark was retained on plant leaves in the field and on lab flies for fourteen days. D. suzukii exposed to leaves for one minute picked up the egg white mark seven days after treatment. No adverse effects on D. suzukii behavior or longevity were observed.