Adventively established Leptopilina japonica: A new opportunity for augmentative biocontrol of Drosophila suzukii

Authors: ROSSI STACCONI, VALERIO - Fondazione Edmund Mach; ABRAM, PAUL - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada; ANFORA, GIANFRANCO - University Of Trento, Italy; BEERS, ELIZABETH - Washington State University; BIONDI, ANTONIO - University Of Catania; BOROWIEC, NICOLAS - Inrae; CARRILLO, JULI - University Of British Columbia; COLLATZ, JANA - Agroscope; COLMAGRO, ASIA - Fondazione Edmund Mach; JOHNSON, BENJAMIN - University Of Maine; DAANE, KENT - University Of California Berkeley; DAL ZOTTO, GIOVANNI - University Of Verona; HEINZ, DÖBELI - Fondazione Edmund Mach; FANNING, PHILIP - University Of Maine; FELLIN, LORENZO - University Of Trento, Italy; GARIEPY, TARA - Agri Food - Canada; GIORGINI, MASSIMO - National Research Council - Italy; GRASSI, ALBERTO - Fondazione Edmund Mach; GUERRIERI, EMILIO - National Research Council - Italy; HERZ, ANNETTE - Biological Institute, Germany; ISAACS, RUFUS - Michigan State University; Lee, Jana; LISI, FRABRIZIO - University Of Catania; LOEB, GREGORY - Cornell University; LUPI, DANIELA - University Of Milan; MARTIN, JAKOB - Biological Institute, Germany; MASETTI, ANTONIO - University Of Bologna, Italy; MOFFAT, CHANDRA - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada; MORI, NICOLA - University Of Verona; PARK, KYOO ROK - Oregon State University; PRADE, PATRICIA - Pennsylvania State University; PUPPATO, SIMONE - Fondazione Edmund Mach; RODRIGUEZ-SAONA, CAESAR - Rutgers University; SCHMIDT, SILVIA - Research Centre For Agriculture And Forestry Laimburg; SEEHAUSEN, LUKAS - Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI) - Switzerland; SIAL, ASHFAQ - University Of Georgia; TAVELLA, LUCIANA - University Of Turin; TORTORICI, FRANCESCO - University Of Turin; URBANEJA-BERNAT, PABLO - Agrifood Research And Technology Center Of Aragon; VAN TIMMERMAN, STEVEN - Michigan State University; WALTON, VAUGHN - University Of Oregon; WANG, GRACE - University Of British Columbia; Wang, Xingeng

Submitted to: Journal of Pest Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2025
Publication Date: 5/31/2025
Citation: Rossi Stacconi, V., Abram, P., Anfora, G., Beers, E., Biondi, A., Borowiec, N., Carrillo, J., Collatz, J., Colmagro, A., Johnson, B., Daane, K., Dal Zotto, G., Gariepy, T., Giorgini, M., Grassi, A., Guerrieri, E., Heinz, D., Herz, A., Isaacs, R., Lee, J.C., Loeb, G., Lisi, F., Lupi, D., Martin, J., Masetti, A., Moffat, C., Mori, N., Park, K., Prade, P., Puppato, S., Rodriguez, C., Schmidt, S., Seehausen, L., Sial, A.A., Tavella, L., Tortorici, F., Urbaneja-Bernat, P., Van Timmerman, S., Walton, V., Wang, G., Wang, X. 2025. Adventively established Leptopilina japonica: A new opportunity for augmentative biocontrol of Drosophila suzukii. Journal of Pest Science. https://doi.org//link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10340-025-01907-0.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-025-01907-0

Interpretive Summary: The Asian-native spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) has widely established in the Americas, Europe and parts of Africa, becoming a devastating pest of soft-skinned fruits in its invaded regions. Biological control is a viable option for sustainable management of this invasive pest. One key natural enemy (a parasitic wasp native to Asia) has established adventive populations in Europe and North America and is increasingly recognized as an important biological control agent for this invasive pest. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the biology, establishment, spread, and potential impacts of this parasitic wasp. Using field data from international monitoring programs, we document the widespread establishment in Europe and North America, host plant associations and potential impacts on SWD. We propose augmentative biological control strategies using this parasitic wasp agent to enhance its impacts in specific agricultural settings. Case-specific evaluations of its ecological effects and role in integrated pest management, supported by continued monitoring, are essential. The case for this parasitic wasp also illustrates the need for clear, research-informed policies to guide the use of self-established non-indigenous natural enemies in pest management.

Technical Abstract: The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, has emerged as a significant global pest over the past decade, threatening fruit production worldwide. The parasitoid Leptopilina japonica, presumed native to East Asia, has established adventive populations in Europe and North America and is increasingly recognized for its ability to parasitize substantial proportions of D. suzukii larvae across diverse habitats. Here, we provide a broad review of the biology, establishment, distribution, and potential impacts of L. japonica. Using field data from international monitoring programs, we document the seasonal dynamics of plant–host–parasitoid associations and assess evidence for L. japonica’s impact on D. suzukii and non-target organisms. Findings indicate that L. japonica has successfully established in several areas where D. suzukii is present in Europe and North America, showing promise as a biological control agent to support sustainable pest management. Current data suggest it provides some suppression of D. suzukii populations with minimal non-target effects. However, long-term studies are necessary to clarify its food web interactions and efficacy as a biological control agent. In areas where L. japonica has been established, we propose its use in augmentative biological control programs to enhance its impacts in specific agricultural settings. Case-specific evaluations of its ecological effects and role in integrated pest management, supported by continued monitoring, are essential. The case of L. japonica illustrates the need for clear, research-informed policies to guide the use of adventively established non-indigenous natural enemies in pest management.