Current status of Drosophila suzukii classical biological control in Italy

• DOI: 10.17660/actahortic.2022.1354.25
• Publication Date: 2022-12-12T11:37:56Z
• Authors: F. Lisi; A. Biondi; C. Cavallaro; L. Zappalà; G. Campo; P.F. Roversi; G. Sabbatini Peve...; L. Giovannini; L. Tavella; F. Tortorici; S. Bardella; C. Carli; G. Bosio; N. Mori; L. Tonina; G. Zanini; S. Caruso; G. Vaccari; A. Masetti; B. Bittau; M. Bariselli; S. Schmidt; M. Falagiarda; L. Bertignono; R. Bonfanti; M. Giorgini; E. Guerrieri; F.G. Tropiano; V. Verrastro; N. Baser; A. Ibn Amor; S. Endrizzi; L. Tessari; S. Puppato; C. Ioriatti; A. Grassi; G. Anfora; L. Fellin; M.V. Rossi Stacconi
• Keywords: Drosophila Suzukii

For over a decade, the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) has threatened soft-skinned fruit production worldwide, causing increased management costs and yield losses.Current integrated (IPM) exploits different control tools but relies mainly on insecticides.The local natural enemy community is mostly composed by generalist species, such as parasitoids attacking fly puparia, unable to efficiently, in both conservative augmentative strategies.By contrast, native area of D. suzukii, sympatric larval have co-evolved with provide stable its population.Foreign explorations quarantine risk assessment studies for classical biological programmes identified species showing variable levels specificity.The Japanese G1 lineage endoparasitoid Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) proved be much more selective efficient than other parasitoids, including Leptopilina japonica Novković & Kimura recently reported Europe.In this context, voluntary partnership Italian researchers coordinated National Plant Protection service imported colony G. into facilities proposed release fields.A three-year working program been set up several locations nine regions/provinces.Field releases laboratory-reared will go along pre-and post-release sampling fresh fallen around area, order assess impact potential interactions non-target insects.The establishment an agent would promote permanent sustainable thus making IPM less dependent use chemicals, reducing issues associated it.