Development of Pest Management Strategies for the Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

The Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a new invasive pest species in Florida that is native to South East Asia. It was first detected in North America in 2009. The SWD is spreading rapidly and economic losses to commercial fruit crops are severe. It is becoming a pest of great concern to fruit industry and growers. The SWD causes larval infestations in stone and berry fruits, these fruits include; strawberry, blackberries, blueberries and a series of other soft-skinned fruits. The SWD is 2-3mm long, has red eyes, yellow-brown body color, and dark bands on their abdomen (Basoalto, 2013). Male SWD are distinctive, as they have a small dark spot on each of their forewing tip. The SWD female possess a serrated ovipositor which enables penetration to soft- skinned fruits and deposit eggs. The SWD are able to deposit eggs in healthy unwounded fruits. Egg laying introduces fungal pathogens which causes fruit rot. The current study is being undertaken to provide suitable pest management strategies to control SWD.