© Thibault Andrieux

The rate of introduction and establishment of new or invasive agricultural pests has increased steadily over the last century as a result of expanding globalization of trade, often exacerbated by climate change. The Spotted Wing Drosophila fly, Drosophila suzukii Matsumara (Diptera, Drosophilidae), is a destructive fruit crop pest native to Southeast Asia. In the past five years, SWD has invaded the USA, Canada, and Europe. SWD is currently spreading all over the European soft fruit production areas, both in open field and greenhouses. D. suzukii infests both cultivated and wild hosts. In Europe, it has been recorded on several economically-important soft-skin fruits, mainly strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.

Although the vast majority of Drosophila species are not fruit pests, D. suzuki larvae feed on healthy ripening fruit, which contrasts with other frugivorous Drosophila. D. suzuki has a short life cycle, a high reproductive potential, and that is resistant to most of the naturally occurring larval parasitoids. Moreover, most listed insecticides are not effective against this pest or cannot be applied on ripening fruits. These factors constitute real scientific and technical challenges for the control of this new pest, which is considered among the most important insect pests to be faced by EU. The SUZUKILL project takes place in this context where there is a urgent need to develop environmentally-friendly sustainable method to control this pest.