Drosophila suzukii: a new pest for fruit trees and its management strategies

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), commonly referred to as the spotted wing Drosophila (SWD), is a new threat for fruit crop production. The pest originates from southeastern Asia. It has been recently found in European and American continents and it spreads rapidly. The pest causes damage to many fruit crops, especially on soft fruits and berries. Unlike other Drosophila species, SWD attacks ripe fruits. The larva feeds inside the fruit, causing fruit softening and rotting. Fungal and bacterial agents could be seen later on infected portions of fruits. Sanitation is one of the most important cultural controls for D. suzukii. Traps containing attractant substances such as apple vinegar are used primarily for monitoring and mass trapping of the population. There are some studies about the natural enemies of the pest. It would be appropriate to establish an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy to control D. suzukii.