Comparison of a synthetic 5-component blend from apple juice volatiles with commercially available Drosophila suzukii lures

Authors: Larson, Nicholas; Strickland, Jaime; SHIELDS, VONNIE - Towson University; RODRIGUEZ-SAONA, CESAR - Rutgers University; CLOONAN, KEVIN - Rutgers University; SHORT, BRENT - Trece, Inc; LESKEY, TRACY - Appalachian State University; Zhang, Aijun

Submitted to: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2021
Publication Date: 3/31/2021
Citation: Larson, N.R., Strickland, J.A., Shields, V.D., Rodriguez-Saona, C., Cloonan, K., Short, B.D., Leskey, T.C., Zhang, A. 2021. Comparison of a synthetic 5-component blend from apple juice volatiles with commercially available Drosophila suzukii lures. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.620445.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.620445

Interpretive Summary: Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is an exotic fruit fly from Asia, which invaded United States in 2008 and then spread to many American and European countries. This devastating pest has caused severe damage on soft-skinned fruit crops, which has resulted in large economic losses. The specific and efficient SWD detection tools are urgently needed for timely management interventions. In our previous study, a quinary blend (QB) had been identified as effective SWD attractants comparing with apple cider vinegar. In present study, QB blend was compared with two commercially available lures on the market. Our results demonstrated that our OB formulation exhibited higher selectivity than the two commercial lures in blueberry and raspberry fields. Less non-target insects caught in the trap will save time and labor, therefore, our QB blend will provide an easy processing tool to efficiently detect SWD infestation so that growers/farmers can timely manage this pest in their orchards.

Technical Abstract: Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), more commonly known as the spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), is an invasive pest of soft, thin-skinned fruit responsible for significant economic losses for farmers and growers worldwide. To improve detection methods, several lures have been developed for use in trapping SWD, however, they lack selectivity. Therefore, there is a significant need for more selective monitoring devices to enable growers to make timely pest management decisions to properly protect vulnerable crops. Previous studies identified a quinary blend (QB) that offers significantly higher selectivity by increasing SWD captures while reducing non-target captures, compared with the standard apple cider vinegar bait. In this study, the selectivity and efficacy of the QB was compared to two commercially available (Scentry and Trécé) SWD lures across blueberry and raspberry fields in Maryland, West Virginia, and New Jersey. A formulated version of the QB consistently had higher selectivity within the blueberry and raspberry field sites compared with commercial lures; although efficacy was compromised such that total SWD captures per trap tended to be lower. The selectivity ratio range of SWD to non-targets for a QB-based (ChemTica) lure averaged 15-57% compared with other commercial lures that ranged from 1-30%. Due to high selectivity of the formulated version of the QB, the potential for this lure to be utilized by growers as a SWD monitoring tool is high.