Foreign Invasive Pests Drosophila Suzukii (Matsamura) and Zaprionusindianus Gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Threaten Fruit Production in Sub-Tropical Argentina

ESCOBAR, LORENA INÉS; OVRUSKI, SERGIO; DANIEL KIRSCHBAUM

Current Trends in Entomology and Zoological Studies

Gavin Publishers

Año: 2018

2690-0114

The sub-tropical region of north western Argentina (Tucuman province) shelters a major soft fruit production and exporting industry. Drosophilasuzukii (spotted-wing Drosophila; SWD) is a major global pest of soft fruits because females can lay eggs under the epidermis of healthy, ripening fruit. Recently, Argentina was invaded by the SWD, which has rapidly spread towards all the cardinal points, showing a great ability of adaptation to different climates and fruit crops. We report for the first time the presence of two invasive drosophilid species, SWD and Zaprionusindianus (African fig fly) in the sub-tropical rainforest of the Yungas (Köppen-Geiger climate classification CWa), adjacent to a high-value fruit production region, in the province of Tucumán (northwestern Argentina). Both species were recovered from wild guava fruit (P.sidiumguajava). The SWD was found in healthy, ripe fruit attached to the trees (65%) and in damaged fruit lifted from the ground (35%); while Z. indianus was only recovered from damaged fruit collected from the ground (100%). Zaprionusindianus, SWD and other drosophilid accounted for 86.6%, 7.1% and 6.3%, respectively, of the total of drosopholids found. The presence of both invasive insects in the region, especially SWD, is a threat for the local berry industry. Since SWD can complete its life cycle in guavas, these fruits would allow the sustainability of SWD populations during the seasons in which commercial berry crops are not in production. Berry growers and government plant protection agencies should promptly take measures to limit these pests dispersion to commercial fruit fields.