First Report of Leptopilina japonica in Europe

Puppato, Simone; Grassi, A.; Pedrazzoli, F.; Cristofaro, A. De; Ioriatti, C.

doi:10.3390/insects11090611

Cited by 18 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 82 publications

(104 reference statements)

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“…Overall, the result of our monitoring showed that L. japonica was the dominant parasitoid species in all locations where G. brasiliensis was released. This adventive exotic species was reported in Italy (Province of Trento) for the first time in 2019 at one location (Puppato et al 2020) and, since then, increasing catches have been reported. In its native range, L. japonica is frequently found on D. suzukii, which is considered a preferred host (Girod et al 2018b;Giorgini et al 2019), and recent studies reported that this parasitoid reproduces on a relatively narrow host range, although not narrow enough to be considered as a candidate for classical biocontrol programs (Girod et al 2018a;Daane et al 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…In particular, for G. brasiliensis, five clades (G1 to G5) where identified on a genetic basis (Nomano et al 2017;Giorgini et al 2019), with the G3 attacking few hosts in the Drosophila melanogaster Meigen species group and the G1 being considered a specialist on D. suzukii, thus rapidly gaining researchers' interest as a candidate for classical biological control. Adventive populations of L. japonica have been recently identified in northeastern Italy (Puppato et al 2020) and in the northwestern North America (Abram et al 2020a), whereas the G1 clade of G. brasiliensis was only recorded in British Columbia (Canada) and Washington (USA) (Abram et al 2020a;Beers et al 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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First report on classical biological control releases of the larval parasitoid Ganaspis brasiliensis against Drosophila suzukii in northern Italy

et al. 2023

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Current management strategy of the invasive fruit fly Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) exploits different tools but relies mainly on chemical control. In the invaded areas, the local natural enemy community mostly consists of generalist pupal parasitoids unable to control the pest efficiently. Conversely, in the pest native area, there are more specialized sympatric larval parasitoids attacking D. suzukii. Following foreign explorations and quarantine risk assessments, the larval endoparasitoid Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) was selected as the best candidate for classical biological control programs. In 2021, the first ever propagative biocontrol program using a Japanese G1 lineage of G. brasiliensis started in Italy. Here we report the results of the first year of releases in the province of Trento (Northeast Italy), wherein G. brasiliensis was released in 12 locations. Pre- and post-release samplings on fresh and fallen fruits were performed around the release points to assess the recapture rate, the impact of the exotic parasitoid on D. suzukii and its potential interactions with local non-target species. After releases, G. brasiliensis was recovered at 50% of the locations. The exotic parasitoid only emerged from D. suzukii, mostly from fresh fruit still on the plant. Post-overwintering monitoring revealed the presence of a four G. brasiliensis individuals at two release locations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First report on classical biological control releases of the larval parasitoid Ganaspis brasiliensis against Drosophila suzukii in northern Italy

et al. 2023

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“…Unlike other Drosophilidae species, D. suzukii lay eggs in ripening fruits and has become a severe pest of soft fruits including strawberry, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry and grapes 20–22 . Studies have revealed that some Leptopilina species could serve as important biological control agents to reduce populations of D. suzukii 22,45 . Our results showed that the Orco ‐mediated olfactory system was responsible for reproductive and parasitic abilities, which subsequently benefit the biological control efficiency.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…[20][21][22] Studies have revealed that some Leptopilina species could serve as important biological control agents to reduce populations of D. suzukii. 22,45 Our results showed that the Orco -mediated olfactory system was responsible for reproductive and parasitic abilities, which subsequently benefit the biological control efficiency. Meanwhile, Leptopilina wasps have different host ranges.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

The odorant receptor co‐receptor gene contributes to mating and host‐searching behaviors in parasitoid wasps

Zhang

Chen

Wang

et al. 2022

Pest Management Science

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Background: Biological control of pest insects by parasitoid wasps is an effective and environmentally friendly strategy compared with the use of synthetic pesticides. Successful courtship and host-search behaviors of parasitoid wasps are important for biological control efficiency and are often mediated by chemical odorant cues. The odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) gene has an essential role in the perception of odors in insects. However, the function of Orco in the mating and host-searching behaviors of parasitoid wasps remains underexplored.Results: We identified the full-length Orco genes of four Drosophila parasitoid species in the genus Leptopilina, namely L. heterotoma, L. boulardi, L. syphax and L. drosophilae. Sequence alignment and membrane-topology analysis showed that Leptopilina Orcos had similar amino acid sequences and topology structures. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Leptopilina Orcos were highly conserved. Furthermore, the results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions showed that all four Orco genes had a typical antennae-biased tissue expression pattern. After knockdown of Orco in these different parasitoid species, we found that Orco-deficient male parasitoid wasps, but not females, lost their courtship ability. Moreover, Orco-deficient female parasitoid wasps presented impaired host-searching performance and decreased oviposition rates.Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that Orcos are essential in the mating and host-searching behaviors of parasitoid wasps. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the functions of Orco genes have been characterized in parasitoid wasps, which broadens our understanding of the chemoreception basis of parasitoid wasps and contributes to developing advanced pest management strategies.

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“…In fact, both L. japonica and G. brasiliensis were reported to be established in 2019 in the south coastal region of British Columbia, Canada, representing the first time that the G. brasiliensis had been reported in North America and the first time that L. japonica had been detected outside of Asia (Abram et al 2020). Shortly afterwards, the first report of L. japonica in Europe (Italy) was published (Puppato et al 2020). These adventive populations of larval parasitoids of D. suzukii on both continents are probably the result of unintentional introductions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First records of adventive populations of the parasitoids Ganaspis brasiliensis and Leptopilina japonica in the United States

Beers¹,

Beal²,

Smytheman³

et al. 2022

JHR

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We report the first known incidence of two parasitoid species of the invasive pest, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), in the United States (US). The discovery of Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) and Leptopilina japonica (Novković & Kimura) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) in northwestern Washington State (US) was made shortly after their discovery in nearby southwestern British Columbia (Canada), indicating that contiguous populations of these species are established in both countries. The first specimen of L. japonica from Washington was collected in the fall of 2020, when it was found in a rice wine/orange juice trap deployed to survey for Vespa mandarinia Smith (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). Subsequent examination of trap contents from the 2020–2021 seasons indicated the presence of both L. japonica and G. brasiliensis. In September of 2021, live collections of both G. brasiliensis and L. japonica were made, reared from D. suzukii-infested Himalayan blackberry in Whatcom County, WA. Adult parasitoid identifications were based on morphology and COI DNA barcodes. All sequenced specimens to date from Washington and British Columbia belong to the G1 group of G. brasiliensis, the only group approved for release as a classical biological control agent in the US. This study provides an example of how even small changes in the geographic range of a natural enemy, now extending across an international border, may have significant consequences for the future of a biological control program.

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First Report of Leptopilina japonica in Europe

Cited by 18 publications

References 82 publications

First report on classical biological control releases of the larval parasitoid Ganaspis brasiliensis against Drosophila suzukii in northern Italy

First report on classical biological control releases of the larval parasitoid Ganaspis brasiliensis against Drosophila suzukii in northern Italy

The odorant receptor co‐receptor gene contributes to mating and host‐searching behaviors in parasitoid wasps

First records of adventive populations of the parasitoids Ganaspis brasiliensis and Leptopilina japonica in the United States

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