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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #430413
Research Project: Innovative Crop Protection and Postharvest Systems to Improve Market Access and Product Quality

Location: Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research

Title: Behavioral management of Drosophila suzukii (Drosophilidae: Diptera) using 2-pentylfuran and its non-target effects on beneficials insects

Author
item SHRESTHA, BINITA - Cornell University
item HESLER, STEPHEN - Cornell University
item DUPLAIS, CHRISTOPHE - Cornell University
item BOHMFALK, GERRY - Scentry Biologicals
item Cha, Dong
item LOEB, GREGORY - Cornell University

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2026
Publication Date: 5/19/2026
Citation: Shrestha, B., Hesler, S.P., Duplais, C., Bohmfalk, G.T., Cha, D.H., Loeb, G.M. 2026. Behavioral management of Drosophila suzukii (Drosophilidae: Diptera) using 2-pentylfuran and its non-target effects on beneficials insects. Journal of Economic Entomology. Article toag130. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toag130.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toag130

Interpretive Summary: Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is a serious invasive pest of berries and cherries worldwide. Calendar based insecticide spraying has been the primary strategy for mitigating SWD damage on fruit. However, resistance development to insecticides has been reported. Researchers at USDA-ARS in Hilo, Hawaii and Cornell University are developing a behaviorally based SWD management system using 2-pentylfuran as a repellent. In this field study, releasing 2-pentylfuran from commercial prototype "spiral" or "puffer" dispensers significantly reduced SWD infestation in raspberries without diminishing biocontrol efficacy of natural enemies. These findings suggest that 2-pentylfuran could serve as a promising behaviorally based management option for SWD.

Technical Abstract: Drosophila suzukii poses a significant threat to various soft-skinned fruit crops, causing substantial economic losses worldwide. Behavioral management using the repellent 2-pentylfuran has shown potential to manage this invasive pest. This two-year study focused on improving the effectiveness of 2-pentylfuran with the goal of developing cost-efficient deployment tools. In 2022, we investigated automated puffers in replicated isolated raspberry plantings and in a semi-field cage study with choice and no-choice assays. In 2023, we tested spirals combined with below canopy insecticide application in a large-scale raspberry planting assessing D. suzukii infestations after 24 or 72 hours of 2-pentylfuran deployment. In addition, we monitored natural enemy activity using yellow sticky cards and pollinator activity using visual counts in both 2022 and 2023 field trials. We observed a small reduction in D. suzukii infestation in plots treated with 2-pentylfuran using either puffers or spirals, particularly in fall-bearing raspberries, but insecticide application did not significantly enhance the repellent effect. In semi-field trials, puffer density had a significant effect on infestation levels in choice assays, while puffing frequency had no significant effect in either choice or no-choice assays. Notably, 2-pentylfuran did not negatively impact the activity of beneficial insects and potentially complemented biocontrol by increasing parasitism by the larval parasitoid Leptopilina japonica. However, further research is needed to optimize the use of 2-pentylfuran in combination with other management practices before it can be commercially implemented.