Development and Impact of the Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, in Florida Strawberries

Abstract

Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), an Asian pest of strawberries and other thin-skinned fruit, was first detected in the Americas in California in the fall of 2008, and its first discovery in Florida came on 4 August 2009 in Hillsborough Co. Although D. suzukii is now found throughout much of Florida, no commercially damaging larval infestations have been reported in fresh market strawberries. Although other drosophilids were present in surveys, only Drosophila melanogaster appears to be a formidable competitor for D. suzukii in strawberries and may prevent or even conceal economic damage in strawberries held for processing. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.