Optimization and field testing of a larval sampling method for detecting spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii

Spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, has been disrupting fruit production worldwide since it first started spreading more than a decade ago. IPM programs have been severely disrupted and rebuilding them has been a challenge because intensive insecticide applications are needed to protect fruit from infestation. Monitoring for this pest to inform management decisions is crucial for successful IPM programs, and sampling has focused on monitoring adult SWD flies. However, adult monitoring does not reliably predict presence of larvae in the fruit. Recently, we described a larval monitoring method that is quick and easy to use and provides real time infestation information to inform management decisions. In this presentation, we report on studies to optimize this method for blueberries using laboratory and field experiments. Different larval sampling methods were compared in controlled laboratory experiments to determine the most effective and efficient larval sampling methods. In addition, larval sampling was conducted on commercial blueberry farms to gain insights into how larval sampling can be integrated into commercial blueberry IPM programs.