The Neotropical-native parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae: a potential biocontrol agent targeting the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii

Abstract

Drosophila suzukii or the spotted-wing drosophila, is an invasive insect pest mostly causing economic damage to healthy fresh, soft and stone fruit crops. This dipterous, native to Southeast Asia has quickly spread worldwide. The influence of resident natural enemies, such as parasitoids, on D. suzukii is an important issue to assess. Such information is critical for implementing biological control strategies through an integrated pest management approach that minimize environmental impact and maximize sustainability. In the fruit growing region of northeastern Argentina, a Neotropical‐native parasitoid assemblage is associated with D. suzukii. Trichopria anastrephae, a pupal parasitoid, highlights from all species. Therefore, the current study provides information about the host-killing parasitoid capacity and the subsequent reproductive success in terms of the parasitoid offspring survival when D. suzukii and the native Drosophila melanogaster are exposed in choice and non-choice conditions. In addition, the study reports on host preference and host-switching behavior. Although T. anastrephae prefers D. melanogaster at equal host ratio or in which D. suzukii is disadvantaged, the D. suzukii-killing effectiveness of T. anastrephae is highly relevant, and it has female-biased offspring. Such data highlight T. anastrephae as an important D. suzukii natural mortality factor, and their potential use as biocontrol agent.