Outlook on the progress of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) biological control in South America

Abstract

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), or spotted wing drosophila is one of the most relevant threats to global fruit production and trade. In South America, D. suzukii was detected and established in Brazil in 2013, Uruguay and Argentina in 2014, and Chile in 2017. Several studies describing the potential parasitoids, entomopathogens, and predators for controlling D. suzukii have provided the groundwork for implementing biological control programs in South America, particularly in Argentina and Brazil. Brazilian isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes of the genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema are promising in controlling the pest. Among all resident parasitoids associated with D. suzukii in South America, Trichopria anastrephae Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) has been highly effective against the pest in recent laboratory and greenhouse studies, but further research is needed to determine approaches for mass production and augmentative release. The review examines the South American natural enemies associated with D. suzukii and their potential for developing biological control in the region, mainly in fruit-growing regions from Argentina and Brazil.