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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Newark, Delaware » Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #434070
Research Project: Physiology, Behavior, Ecology, and Genetics of Invasive Pest Insects and Candidates for their Biological Control

Location: Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit

Title: Recent advances in biological control of spotted-wing drosophila

Author
item Wang, Xingeng

Submitted to: Entomology Today
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/27/2026
Publication Date: 4/28/2026
Citation: Wang, X. 2026. Recent advances in biological control of spotted-wing drosophila. Entomology Today. https://entomologytoday.org/2026/04/28.

Interpretive Summary: This invited "Entomology Today" article, reaching over 7,000 members of the Entomological Society of America, summarizes a special collection on recent advances in biological control of the spotted-wing drosophila (SWD). SWD is a globally invasive pest causing significant damage and control challenges for soft-skinned fruit industries. Directly supporting the USDA's mission to protect American agriculture and natural resources, USDA ARS researchers and their patterns have led a decade-long nationwide effort to develop biological control strategies for SWD. This special collection, co-edited by ARS researchers, highlights key findings: the discovery of natural enemies in SWD's native Asia, the introduction and evaluation of the most specialized natural enemy in the USA, and the first coordinated releases of an introduced natural enemy in Mid-Atlantic states. These mark crucial first steps in classical biological control. The collection concludes by proposing a roadmap for future biological control strategies. Ultimately, these efforts directly support the USDA's strategic goal of safeguarding agricultural and natural resources from invasive threats, informing robust, long-term SWD management. This underscores the USDA's commitment to protecting the nation's biodiversity, supporting healthy ecosystems, and mitigating economic and ecological damage from invasive species.

Technical Abstract: The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is a global invasive pest of soft-skinned fruits, posing significant control challenges. An areawide approach, particularly biological control with specialized natural enemies like parasitoids, is crucial for reducing fly populations across diverse habitats. Research has focused on parasitoids, leading to the discovery of two key Asian larval parasitoids (Ganaspis kimorum and Leptopilina japonica), the introduction and evaluation of G. kimorum in the USA and Europe, and the adventive establishment of L. japonica. This Special Collection highlights recent advances, including early G. kimorum releases, L. japonica 's adventive establishment, cold storage methods for G. kimorum, effective parasitoid sampling techniques, compatibility studies with entomopathogens, and insecticide impact assessments. A research roadmap is proposed to guide future biological control strategies.