The Cherry vinegar fly – <em>Drosophila suzukii</em> – An emerging risk for fruit and wine growing

Abstract

The Cherry vinegar fly, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), is a polyphagous pest which infests all soft-flesh fruit species and all grape varieties. The species is endemic in Asia and was introduced into North America where it spread rapidly, causing substantial damages. Since 2009 D. suzukii has been found in Italy (South Tyrol) and in Spain (around 130 km from Barcelona in South-West direction). This Drosophila species is introduced with infested fruits. The climatic conditions and the availability of host plants are suitable for the establishment of this pest in most parts of Europe. The special risk arises in particular from the high potential propagation rate of up to 13 generations per year. The female’s serrated ovipositor, being unusual for Drosophila species, enables it to penetrate thin-skinned fruits to deposit its eggs into the fruits. The larvae destroy the fruit pulp by feeding. Furthermore, secondary infections can occur. Though D. suzukii can be controlled by insecticides, the high number of generations however require a high frequency of insecticide applications, causing residues and favouring insecticide resistance. The cherry vinegar fly would most probably be a very important new pest of fruit and vine production in case of introduction in Germany. Considerable damages or an intensive insecticide use respectively would be the consequences. Because of the occurrence of D. suzukii in Italy and Spain and its listing on the EPPO alert list the finding of this pest has to be reported in accordance with the General Administrative Regulation for Plant Pests (Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zu Schadorganismen). A full pest risk analysis for Europe in general in the framework of EPPO will be elaborated in 2010. In this context a critical question is whether D. suzukii could still be contained by phytosanitary measures. According to EC directive 2000/29/EC such measures are obligatory in case the pest is found in Germany.