Kehrli P., Fischer S., Linder C., Samietz J. , Baroffio C.
The Swiss approach to combat Drosophila suzukii.
IOBC-WPRS Bulletin, 91, 2013, 303-304.
Drosophila suzukii is a vinegar fly native to Asia that has recently been introduced to Europe and invaded Switzerland in 2011 (Figure 1). Unlike other vinegar flies, females of D. suzukii lay their eggs in intact fruits, thereby endangering the sustainable production of healthy soft fruits, stone fruits and grapes. Thus there is an urgent need to develop effective IPM strategies against this new pest. Swiss authorities responded rapidly to this new threat and approved temporarily the use of insecticides such as acetamiprid, lambda-cyhalothrin, pyrethrins, spinosad and thiacloprid in infested cultures. However, their use is legally restricted (e.g. number of applications, preharvest interval, maximum residue levels) and based on a national monitoring program. Besides, growers are also asked to apply prophylactic measures such as the destruction of infested fruits. With the scientific support of our governmental research station, Swiss berry growers developed inexpensive and user-friendly recipients for mass trapping (Figure 2) that are commercialised on a national level (www.becherfalle.ch). Our laboratory screenings helped to identify a suitable bait that consists of a mixture of cider vinegar, red wine, sugar and berry juice. It is recommended to deploy recipients every five meters and to exchange them every two weeks. The efforts of fruit growers are accompanied by our complementary studies on the applicability and effectiveness of alternative control measures such as insect-proof nets, repellents and microbial agents. Simultaneously we also try to better understand the biology of D. suzukii. For example, we follow the population dynamics in different but neighbouring cultures and we investigate its development under different temperature regimes in order to model and forecast pest’s phenology. To keep track and to coordinate all these activities, a close collaboration between scientists, governmental agencies and stakeholders is indispensable. The internal information exchange goes along with an open and proactive communication by technical bulletins, scientific publications, a national webpage (www.drosophilasuzukii.agroscope.ch) and press releases targeting fruit growers, local advisors, phytosanitary services and the general public. Additionally we are also in close contact with the responsible authorities in neighbouring countries in order to exchange knowledge and benefit from their insights.
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