Liquid Baits with Oenococcus oeni Increase Captures of Drosophila suzukii

Among the challenges arising from climate change and the transformation of agroecosystems is that agricultural production is heavily affected by invasive insect species. Invasive insects can establish in new areas where their development can progress due to a suitable climate and lack of natural enemies. Farmers have few options to mitigate those insects’ attacks. Current control tactics using pesticides must be replaced with more sustainable methods to counter invasive insect species. We approached the control of the invasive spotted-wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii, using a baiting system that manipulates insect behavior without use of toxic or non-sustainable chemicals. The results of our work are utilized for the monitoring and mass trapping of this devastating invasive species. In our innovative smart-design trap system, we use odors that attract flies and decrease damage in open field scenarios. Our trapping system can efficiently detect the first spring arrival of D. suzukii in agricultural fields and as a such, represents a good early monitoring tool. We conducted four years of laboratory and open-field trials in different berry crops. As a source of odor attraction, we used a mixture of wine, apple cider vinegar, and different commercially available strains of lactic acid bacteria