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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #266342
Title: Laboratory and field comparisons of insecticides to reduce infestation of Drosophila suzukii in berry crops

Author
item Bruck, Denny
item BOLDA, MARK - University Of California
item TANIGOSHI, LYNELL - Washington State University
item KLICK, JIMMY - Oregon State University
item KLEIBER, JOSEPH - Oregon State University
item DE FRANCESCO, JOSEPH - Oregon State University
item GERDEMAN, BEVERLY - Washington State University
item SPITLER, HOLLIS - Washington State University

Submitted to: Pest Management Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2011
Publication Date: 7/28/2011
Citation: Bruck, D.J., Bolda, M., Tanigoshi, L., Klick, J., Kleiber, J., De Francesco, J., Gerdeman, B., Spitler, H. 2011. Laboratory and field comparisons of insecticides to reduce infestation of Drosophila suzukii in berry crops. Pest Management Science. DOI: 10.1002/ps.2242.

Interpretive Summary: The spotted wing Drosophila is an invasive pest of small fruit crops. This vinegar fly was first confirmed in California in 2009 and is now established all along the west coast of the United States. Unlike other vinegar flies, this insect is able to oviposit into and damage ripe and ripening fruit, making it unmarketable. Because this is a new pest in the United States, it is necessary to identify registered insecticides for use in conventional and organic production systems to manage this insect effectively. Our laboratory bioassays and field trials identified a number of insecticides representing various chemical classes, which are effective in killing spotted wing Drosophilia adults. Products that performed well in laboratory tests also performed well in the field, indicating that chemical screening in the laboratory is predictive of what products will work in the field. Field application of currently registered insecticides provided 5-14 d residual control. Our data indicates that (conventional and organic) have safe and effective products available to control infestations of this insect in the field.

Technical Abstract: The spotted wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) an invasive pest of small fruit crops. Unlike other members of the family, this insect is able to oviposit into and damage ripe and ripening fruit, making it unmarketable. Because this is a new pest in the United States, it is necessary to identify registered insecticides for use in conventional and organic production systems to manage this pest effectively. Our laboratory bioassays and field trials identified a number of insecticides representing various modes of action, which are effective in managing D. suzukii. Products that performed well in the laboratory bioassay also performed well in the field indicating that screening of new chemistries in the laboratory is a worthy exercise. Field application of pyrethoids, organophosphates or spinosyns provided 5-14 d residual control of D. suzukii. The efficacy of the neonicotinoids as adulticides were not satisfactory compared with the other contact mode of action chemistries. Based on the aggressive stance of zero-tolerance by the small fruit industry and the individual effects mentioned above, neonicotinoids are not currently recommended for D. suzukii management. There are effective insecticides registered for managing D. suzukii infestations in susceptible small fruit crops.