Sterile insect release as a biological control method for the spotted wing drosophila: sterilization protocol, competitiveness of irradiated males, and releases in semi-natural conditions
Annabelle Firlej
Description
The spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a new berry pest, appeared in Québec in 2010. Damage to unprotected fruit can reach nearly 100%. The project consisted of sterilizing the pest in the laboratory and mass releasing it in crops as a biocontrol method.
Objective(s)
- Evaluate the potential of sterile insects as a new biocontrol method for spotted wing drosophila.
- Develop a sterilization protocol for D. suzukii
- Evaluate the competitiveness of D. suzukii males irradiated in the laboratory under semi-natural conditions.
From 2014 to 2017
Project duration
Fruit production
Activity areas
Pest, weed, and disease control
Service
This project will lead to better control of the spotted wing drosophila, the country’s most devastating berry pest, which first appeared in Canada in 2006.
Partners
Innov'Action | Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec | Natural Resources Canada | Collège Montmorency | Université de Montréal | International Atomic Energy Agency
Publications
Scientific article • Annabelle Firlej
Lanouette G., J. Brodeur, F. Fournier, V. Martel, M. Vreysen, C. CaÂceres, A. Firlej. 2017. The sterile insect technique for the management of the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii: Establishing the optimum irradiation dose. PLOS ONE. 12(9) e0180821. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180821. DownloadResearch report • Annabelle Firlej
Firlej, A., J. Brodeur, V. Martel, F. Fournier. 2017. Les lâchers d’insectes stériles comme méthode de lutte biologique contre la drosophile à ailes tachetées : protocole de stérilisation, compétitivité des mâles irradiés et lâchers en conditions semi-naturelles. IRDA. 43 p. DownloadVideo • Annabelle Firlej, Élisabeth Ménard, Kim Ostiguy, Célia Bordier
Firlej, A., Menard, E., Ostinguy, K et Bordier, C.. 2022. . DownloadThis may interest you
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