The Impact of Wild Host Habitat on Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) in Cultivated Blueberries

The host range of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), an invasive drosophilid pest of thin-skinned fruit, includes many cultivated and wild fruits. Wild hosts are present in habitats adjacent to cultivated blueberries, and may provide shelter and resources for D. suzukii during non-crop seasons. Our objectives were to investigate infestation levels of D. suzukii and relationships to host/non-host habitats. A survey was conducted in 2012-2014 to determine D. suzukii infestation levels (low, medium, high) on Florida blueberry farms. Two to 7 traps were established at 14 farms and trap coordinates recorded. Traps were serviced weekly February-May. A second study was conducted to determine wild host habitats and their impact on D. suzukii. Potential wild host habitats in Florida were identified and a raster produced with a 1900-m buffer around farms. Analysis of Variance was used to detect differences in areas of host and non-host habitat, host habitat classes, and percent total area of host habitat classes within infestation levels. Infestation levels varied widely; however, a cluster of farms in west-central Florida remained high. Overall, host and non-host areas did not differ, whereas percent total area of host habitat classes did. Results support future research of wild host habitats on D. suzukii populations.