Identification of Potential Wild Host Habitats for Drosophila suzukii and Their Distribution Around Cultivated Blueberry Farms

Many wild hosts of the invasive Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) are present in habitats adjacent to cultivated blueberries that may provide shelter and resources for this fly. The overall goal of this study was to determine the relationship that potential wild hosts have with SWD infestation on adjacent blueberry farms. To accomplish this, we identified habitats with potential wild host plants within 1.9 km of blueberry farms. Next, a survey was conducted on blueberry farms to determine SWD infestation levels. Finally, we produced GIS maps to examine the relationship between wild host habitat and SWD infestation. For the survey, 2-7 traps were established at 14 farms and trap coordinates recorded. Traps were serviced weekly February-May, 2012-2014. Analysis of Variance was used to detect differences in host habitat classes and percent total area within buffer zones. Infestation levels varied widely; a cluster of farms in west-central Florida remained high throughout the survey. Wild host habitats were different between infestation levels. The most prominent host habitats at farms with high infestation were hardwood swamp and hardwood hammocks and forest. Since SWD uses wild hosts during non-cropping seasons and migrates into cultivated blueberries, these habitats must be considered when developing management programs.