Off-Crop and Off-Season Monitoring, Key Elements to Be Integrated into an Effective Strategy for the Control of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Abstract

Drosophila suzukii is a pest affecting a wide range of host plants, causing severe damage to small fruits, berries, and grapes. This study analyzed environmental factors influencing its population dynamics in regions where temperature is not a limiting factor. Data were collected in the spring–summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 across three vineyards in northwestern Portugal, examining the relationship between captured D. suzukii females, climatic variables, vine phenological stages, and ecological infrastructures. A stepwise linear model and Pearson correlation matrix were used. In 2020, a winter study was conducted in nine vineyards, focusing on landscape composition and its effect on D. suzukii populations. An ecological infrastructure index was created and correlated with captures data. Results show that vine phenological stages and nearby ecological infrastructures significantly affect population dynamics in spring and summer. Vineyards surrounded by complex landscapes, especially with wild hosts, supported higher D. suzukii populations during winter. These findings highlight the importance of ecological infrastructures in managing D. suzukii populations year-round and suggest their consideration in pest control strategies.