Prospects for the biological control of Drosophila suzukii

The invasive pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) causes serious economic damage in several soft fruit crops. This study aimed (1) to identify naturally occurring parasitoids and predators of this pest in North East Spain and (2) to get preliminary data on their potential as pest biological control agents. Two parasitoid species were found spontaneously parasitizing D. suzukii: Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Trichopria cf. drosophilae Perkins (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae). Both species were found repeatedly through the survey period and successfully reproduced in the laboratory on D. suzukii pupae. In addition, both species strongly reduced adult emergence of D. suzukii from infested fruits. Regarding predators, Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Antochoridae) were able to feed on D. suzukii eggs but not on larvae whereas the soil predator Labidura riparia Pallas (Dermaptera: Labiduridae) consumed D. suzukii larvae and pupae and was effective in reducing pest populations in laboratory tests.