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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #323072
Title: Impact of floral feeding on adult Drosophila suzukii survival and nutrient status

Author
item TOCHEN, SAMANTHA - Oregon State University
item WALTON, VAUGHN - Oregon State University
item Lee, Jana

Submitted to: Journal of Pest Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/11/2016
Publication Date: 5/2/2016
Citation: Tochen, S., Walton, V., Lee, J.C. 2016. Impact of floral feeding on adult Drosophila suzukii survival and nutrient status. Journal of Pest Science. 89(3):793-802. doi: 10.1007/s10340-016-0762-7.

Interpretive Summary: The spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is a serious pest of small fruits and cherries in many regions of the world. While the egg laying behavior of adults and development of larvae has been studied on various fruits, little is known about the feeding habits of adults. This study addressed the impact of feeding on the survival and nutrient reserves of SWD in laboratory assays. First, access to cherry and blueberry blossoms enhanced survival of SWD. This suggests that these early spring blossoms may provide a food source for SWD in fields that may devoid of other food sources. Second, SWD emerged as adults with minimal glycogen and sugar levels. Adults with continued access to a carbohydrate-protein diet quickly showed elevated carbohydrate reserves, and adults with continued access to only water showed a decline in total sugars. Third, adults with access to cherry, or blueberry blossoms also showed elevated carbohydrate reserves than those with access to water only. These results show the importance of adult feeding in enhancing survival and carbohydrate reserves among SWD.

Technical Abstract: Drosophila suzukii, spotted wing drosophila, is a serious pest of small fruits and cherries in many regions of the world. While host usage has been well studied at the ovipositional and larval feeding stages, little is known about the feeding ecology of adults. This study addressed the impact of feeding on the survival and nutrient reserves of D. suzukii in laboratory assays. First, access to cherry and blueberry blossoms enhanced survival of D. suzukii compared to water only. This suggests that these early spring blossoms may provide a food source for D. suzukii in fields that may devoid of other food sources. Second, D. suzukii that were reared on a standard laboratory diet as larvae emerged as adults with minimal glycogen and sugar levels. Adults with continued access to a carbohydrate-protein diet quickly showed elevated carbohydrate reserves, and adults with continued access to only water showed a decline in total sugars. Third, adults with access to cherry, or blueberry blossoms also showed elevated carbohydrate reserves than those with access to water only. These results show the importance of adult feeding in enhancing survival and carbohydrate reserves among D. suzukii.