Damage Caused by the Spotted Fruit Fly (Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, 1931) to Berries and the Potential Use of Salicylic Acid in Pest Control
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17108/ActAgrOvar.2025.66.2.67Keywords:
Drosophila suzukii, berry fruits, everbearings, salicylic acid, systemic acquired resistanceAbstract
Drosophila suzukii is a horticultural pest originating from East- Asia that is now widespread globally and causes significant economic losses in berry crops and certain stone fruits. Females possess a serrated ovipositor, enabling them to lay eggs in ripening fruit. As a result, infested berries often drop prematurely, become affected by secondary infections (fungal and bacterial), and are rendered unmarketable. Since there is currently no fully effective control method available in Hungary, the development of alternative strategies is a priority. In berry production, compliance with pre-harvest intervals presents a particular challenge because many species are continuously fruiting or everbearing. Consequently, the development of biological or low-residue plant protection methods is highly desirable. Over recent years, experiments have been conducted to develop natural repellents, the use of parasitoid species, and physical protection strategies, such as isolation; however, these methods and technologies have often failed to deliver consistent results. Following recommendations from plant physiology specialists, experiments using salicylic acid and jasmonic acid formulations were initiated. Both compounds are known to enhance plant immunity by inducing systemic defence responses, thereby improving resistance to pests and pathogens.
The study presents results from trials using a plant conditioning preparation containing salicylic acid, conducted at the Fertőd Research Station of MATE KERTI GYKI. In both 2024 and 2025, a reduction in larval population density within berries was observed. These findings indicate that salicylic acid represents a promising supplementary tool in the control of D. suzukii, warranting further investigation under field conditions.
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