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Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii, SWD) is a top priority for entomological and agricultural research programs because of the negative impact on global small fruit production. Additional management strategies for spotted wing drosophila must be sought in order to reduce economic losses to fruit growers, manage pesticide resistance for spotted wing drosophila and increase marketable berry production. This is especially true for organic berry producers, who are disproportionately impacted by a lack of effective controls for spotted wing drosophila and its presence within Canadian growing regions. There are a limited number of organic tools to manage spotted wing drosophila, including only a few pesticides registered for organic use, and cultural controls (such as removal of alternative host plants and prompt removal of ripe fruit) are labor intensive and economically impractical for some growers. Additional ecological and cultural controls must be trialed within organic systems to sustain and grow organic production of berries and other small fruits.

Our research group will develop multiple, independent but potentially synergistic strategies for spotted wing drosophila pest management. 1) We will work to develop an intercropping system for berries and small fruits to reduce spotted wing drosophila presence in crops, through repelling the pest and attracting beneficial natural enemies. 2) In parallel, the forecasted safety and efficacy of using two Asian parasitoids for biological control will be documented, to support a petition for their release within Canada and to provide long-term, self-sustaining control of spotted wing drosophila. 3) In greenhouse and farm trials, microbial bio-products and novel plant growth promoters will be evaluated for enhanced crop resistance, both above ground as foliar sprays, and below ground, as soil amendments. Research into multiple vectors of control will increase the likelihood of developing a successful strategy or strategies for better spotted wing drosophila pest management.

Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii, SWD) remains a top priority for agricultural research programs because of its destructive impact on small fruit production. Growers need additional ecological and cultural controls to sustain and grow organic production of berries and other small fruits, while also reducing economic losses and managing pesticide resistance. Our research sought to develop multiple, independent but potentially synergistic management strategies for SWD.

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