Can Saccharomycopsis vini and Z4-11Al be used in a push-pull system against the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii?

Abstract: Drosophila suzukii is a pest with global spread that lays its eggs in soft fruits. It has been deemed potentially invasive to Sweden. Contrary to other Drosophila species, D. suzukii possess a serrated ovipositor which makes it possible for it to lay its eggs in ripening fruits. It thereby avoids competition with D. melanogaster, whose larvae outcompetes those of D. suzukii. Moreover, it has an extensive host range including both cultivated and wild plants. Mated D. suzukii females are drawn to yeast for feeding in the period after mating. The yeast Saccharomycopsis vini has been found attractive. When presented with a substrate D. suzukii actively avoids oviposition in substrate inoculated by D. melanogaster. The species-specific female pheromone of D. melanogaster Z4-11Al is thought to induce oviposition aversion in D. suzukii. The objective of this study was to test if S. vini and Z4-11Al have the potential of being used in a push-pull system against D. suzukii. Testing took place in a laboratory setting. Ten female D. suzukii flies were released into arenas containing traps and a blueberry providing oviposition substrate. Z4-11Al was dispensed from a vial placed near the blueberry. Results confirms previous findings that D. suzukii finds the yeast S. vini attractive. S. vini has potential for being used as a trap lure. Regarding the potential of Z4-11Al as an oviposition deterrent, results are inconclusive. There are some indications that Z4-11Al might work to deterred D. suzukii from yeast.