An innovative management approach for spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) using an environmentally friendly attract and kill formulation

Abstract: During the last years several data related to the interactions between host plant-associated yeasts and D. suzukii, commonly known as the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), were collected and showed that yeast species are attractive to D. suzukii in different manners. Moreover, some yeast strains favor larval development, female fecundity and stimulate oviposition. The aim of this work is the identification of a lure with an attractive and phagostimulative component suitable for the development of an attract-and-kill effective formulation. The attractant and feeding stimulant activity of selected yeast cultures towards D. suzukii adults were determined in laboratory bioassays and in field trapping tests. Target metabolites content of yeast cultures and yeast culture head space volatiles were determined. The most promising yeast species on an appropriate cultivation substrate were defined.