Spotted wing Drosophila: notes on spread in Tuscany (Italy) and susceptibility of some grape varieties

Abstract: Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera, Drosophilidae) was detected for the first time in Tuscany (Italy) in 2008 and officially reported for Italy in 2009. Rapidly, the spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) has spread throughout the country, causing serious damages on many fruit crops. The potential of infestation rate by SWD is enormous and its host range is very wide, including both cultivated and wild plants. Throughout 2010-2013 years, the spread of the insect is further increased in almost all Italian regions. Given the economic losses that SWD can determine in central Italy and to assess the risk of spreading into new areas and new crops, in 2013 and 2014, samplings were conducted in different areas of Tuscany. Further, to better understand the relationship between SWD and wine grape, preliminary laboratory trials were carried out to test the susceptibility of three grape varieties to D. suzukii.