Efficacy of droplets and compatibility toxicants with attract and kill strategy in managing Drosophila suzukii

Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), commonly known as the spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), is a significant economic pest that oviposits and feeds on soft-skinned fruits, causing considerable damage to growers. Various management practices have been employed to mitigate the economic losses caused by SWD. Among these, the attract-and-kill strategy stands out as a promising alternative to conventional broad-spectrum insecticides, offering a targeted and environmentally sustainable approach. This strategy requires innovative approaches, such as optimizing the compatibility of various toxicants with attract-and-kill methods.

Droplet number is a critical factor in pest control, affecting the coverage, adherence, and efficacy of toxicants on target pests. This study investigates the efficacy of different droplet number and the compatibility of various toxicants when combined with attract-and-kill methods. A bioassay trial was conducted to evaluate the oviposition behavior of Drosophila suzukii under different droplet sizes of various toxicants. Attractants were mixed with conventional pesticides and applied as baits targeted away from the berries, with different numbers of droplets and an untreated control for comparison to evaluate their efficacy in controlling SWD.

Results revealed significant variations in oviposition rates, underscoring the importance of droplet number and toxicant type. The study observed a significant effect on the oviposition behavior of SWD, some toxicants resulted in higher mortality. This research provides valuable insights for integrated pest management, suggesting that optimized combinations of droplet number, toxicants, and attractants can significantly improve control measures against D. suzukii.