The complementarity of commercially available predators in controlling spotted wing drosophila in organic day-neutral strawberry crops

Description

The spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is a particularly challenging pest for berry growers due to its high egg-laying potential and end-of-season population explosion (near harvest time). Insecticides have limited ability to reach the larvae, which are buried inside the fruit. In Québec, the battle against SWD generally involves repeated and alternating applications of insecticides that are also toxic to pollinators and, in some cases, pose significant risks to human health and the environment. In organic crops it is possible to utilize up to three treatments of Entrust, but there is a risk of resistance developing. To reduce the phytosanitary impact of drosophila in berry crops, IRDA proposes to assess the complementarity of commercial predators. The three selected predators (Orius insidiosius, Chrysoperla carnea and Dicyphus hesperus) have demonstrated their effectiveness in eating spotted wing drosophila eggs in laboratory studies. Three treatments involving the release of predators in combination will be compared to a control group in a randomized complete block design tested in an organic day-neutral strawberry crop. Fruit infestations and saleable fruit percentages will be assessed and compared for each treatment.

Objective(s)

• Develop a control method that involves the release of commercially available predators to control spotted wing drosophila in organic day-neutral strawberry crops