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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Newark, Delaware » Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #406810

Research Project: Biological Control for Management of Invasive Pest Management, Emphasizing Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Spotted Wing Drosophila and other Invasive Insect Pests of Crops

Location: Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit

Title: Ganaspis kimorum (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), a promising parasitoid for biological control of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Author
item STAHL, JUDITH - University Of California Berkeley
item Wang, Xingeng
item ABRAM, PAUL - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada
item BIONDI, ANTONIO - University Of Catania
item Buffington, Matthew
item KENIS, MARC - Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI)
item Hoelmer, Kim
item LISI, FABRIZIO - University Of Catania
item ROSSI-STACCONI, MARCO VALERIO - Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI)
item VOSSEN, ARIANE, - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada
item WONG, WARREN - University Of British Columbia
item DAANE, KENT - University Of California Berkeley

Submitted to: Journal of Integrated Pest Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2024
Publication Date: 12/17/2024
Citation: Stahl, J., Wang, X., Abram, P.K., Biondi, A., Buffington, M.L., Kenis, M., Hoelmer, K.A., Lisi, F., Rossi-Stacconi, M., Vossen, A., Wong, W.H., Daane, K.M. 2024. Ganaspis kimorum (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), a promising parasitoid for biological control of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 15:44. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmae036.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmae036

Interpretive Summary: The spotted-wing drosophila fly is native to eastern Asia but has also become widely established in the Americas and Europe, and part of Africa, where it has become the most serious pest of berries and other small fruits. A parasitic wasp that is the fly’s major natural enemy in Asia has been approved for introduction and field release in the US after quarantine evaluations. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview on the parasitoid’s taxonomy, current known distribution, biology, ecology, mass rearing methods and biological control potential. descriptions of this biological control agent. The information will be useful for stakeholders for effective use of this natural enemy for the management of this invasive pest.

Technical Abstract: Ganaspis Foerster includes several cryptic species that are important larval parasitoids of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), spotted-wing drosophila (SWD). Drosophila suzukii, native to Asia, was first discovered in 2008 in North America and Europe, becoming a devastating pest of soft-skinned fruit crops. Biological control could be among the safest, most environmentally benign, and cost-effective methods for long-term and landscape-level management of this invasive pest. Foreign exploration in East Asia discovered several major larval D. suzukii parasitoids. One of them was initially described as Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) and consisted of 2 major genetic groups (G1 and G3). The groups are now recognized as 2 different species, Ganaspis kimorum Buffington and Ganaspis lupini Buffington. The more host-specific species G. kimorum was selected and approved for field release in the United States in 2021 and has been widely released since 2022. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the parasitoid’s taxonomy, current known distribution, biology, ecology, mass-rearing methods, and biological control potential.