Effects of temperature and relative humidity on mating and survival of sterileDrosophila suzukii

Abstract

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a widely distributed pest species of soft‐skinned fruits. Recent studies suggest the use of sterile insect technique (SIT) as a control method for this species; however, many factors can impact effectiveness of a SIT programme, including the environmental conditions. Environmental condition is critical at the time of the release and in the days afterwards, since it may impact sterile insects’ survival and ability to mate. Thus, we verified the influence of temperature and relative humidity on mating and survival of fertile and sterile D. suzukii, when insects were food provided or deprived. Highest mating rates occurred when sterile or fertile flies provided with food were exposed to 25ºC or 81%–100% relative humidity, while temperatures of 10 and 35ºC and humidity below 60% impaired mating. Overall, mating rate among food‐deprived flies was low in all temperatures and humidity levels tested, but fertile insects were more prone to mate when compared to sterile flies. Survival was negatively influenced by high temperatures, low relative humidity and food deprivation. The information present in this study is useful to be considered for release of sterile D. suzukii.

The effects of non‐crop habitat on spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) abundance in fruit systems: A meta‐analysis

“…At this point, the mass traps would need to be removed to prevent sterile male captures. However, as more research and commercial availability is required for this approach, SIT could be a focus for future IPM strategies (Krüger et al, 2021).…”

Effects of co-occurrence and intra- and interspecific interactions between Drosophila suzukii and Zaprionus indianus

“…It is also noteworthy highlighting that in our fecundity experiment; we used individuals, less than one day old, resulting from the previous experiment with different densities (ranging from 8 to 400) that were observed during a 6 days oviposition period. Such experimental conditions could explain some divergences from previous literature [ 65 – 68 ] regarding the oviposition behavior of the studied drosophilids. In fact, biotic and abiotic experimental conditions have been reported to differentially affect the development, behavior, phenology, and reproductive biology of D .…”

Phenological Stages of a Soybean Crop Affect the Number of Mating Pairs and Egg Load in Rhyssomatus nigerrimus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Females under Natural Conditions

“…We found that when relative humidity decreased (between 53.58–61.86%), the number of copulating R. nigerrimus pairs increased. Krüger et al (2021) also reported that the number of copulating pairs of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) was higher with relative humidity above 61%, compared with lower relative humidity (between 0–40%). The weather data collected in our study showed that as temperature increased, relative humidity decreased, and the number of copulating R. nigerrimus pairs increased.…”