Potential of parasitoid to control invasive fruit fly highlighted in study
Drosophila suzukii, commonly known as Spotted Wing Drosophila, is an invasive fruit fly native to Eastern Asia that was accidentally introduced to the Americas and Europe in the late 2000s. It has since spread rapidly causing damage to over 150 wild and cultivated fruits like cherries, blueberries, strawberries, and even the fruits of ornamental plants.
Predicting the spread of invasive spotted lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an emerging insect pest of a number of economically important crop plants. Originating from China, its primary host plant is tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), which is itself considered to be a noxious invasive species in some areas of the United States.
CABI updates International Soft Fruit Conference on fight against devastating invasive fruit fly
CABI scientist Dr Lukas Seehausen has updated delegates at the International Soft Fruit Conference in s-Hertogenbosch, in the Netherlands, on the very latest research in the fight against the devasting fruit fly Drosophila suzukii. Dr Seehausen, a research scientist in risk analysis and invasion ecology based at CABI’s Swiss centre in Delémont, said a biological control agent – the parasitoid Ganaspis…
Using DNA to detect a stinkbug invasion
The use of DNA to detect a stinkbug invasion proposes a revolutionary advancement in agricultural pest surveillance following the success recorded on a piloted experiment conducted on farms in the USA. These interlopers attack all manner of produce, ranging from fruits to leafy vegetables. However, the adoption of DNA techniques in detecting its early invasion…
Classical biological control of Drosophila suzukii with Asian parasitoids
The soft-fruit pest Drosophila suzukii, or spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), is particularly difficult to control because of its short generation time and its very broad host range, including many wild and ornamental plants. The pest has been causing damage to fruit crop in Europe as well as North America where damages costing $500million were reported in…