Combating the suzuki fruit fly requires a broad and thoughtful approach. In addition to effective control, monitoring, hygiene and proper treatment after the harvest are also very important. Howitec supports this integrated approach and follows new developments closely.
Mapping the suzuki fruit fly population can be done with decoys, attractants and the flotation test. With the decoys, the fruit fly is caught and it can be estimated how big the pest actually is. Estimating the size of the pest can also be done by placing attractants in various locations and seeing how many fruit flies fly to it. The flotation test determines whether the fruit is affected. A sample is taken of the fruit and placed in a salt solution. When animals float in the salt solution, the larva of the fruit fly is affected.
Hygiene also plays a crucial role. By disposing of damaged or early fallen fruit immediately and airtight, new breeding sites are limited. Shortening the harvest intervals also helps, because less ripe fruit is less susceptible to infection by the suzukii fruit fly.
Controlling the fruit fly can be done by means of chemical plant protection products, biological control and mechanically. Mechanical includes the use of nets against the fruit fly. Think of Howitec's Drosophila suzukii grid solutions.
The fruit flies thrive at high temperatures; cooling the harvest after harvesting prevents the fruit fly from sitting in the harvest after harvesting.
Researchers at Wageningen University have found a possible breakthrough: the Asian parasitic wasp Ganaspis kimorum. This wasp is a natural enemy of the suzuki fruit fly and tackles the pest very selectively.
Experts Herman Helsen and Tibor Bukovinszki are currently investigating whether the introduction of this parasitic wasp has no negative impact on the native fauna. Once this is given the green light, test setups will follow to test the effectiveness and life cycle of the wasp under Dutch conditions.
Howitec is closely involved in these new developments and we look forward to seeing the results of the test setups.
This article is based on:
Van Assche, C. (2024). Aziatischesluipwesp in strijd tegen suzuki-fruitvlieg. Fruitteelt, 20, 16-17.
