Situation of Drosophila suzukii in Switzerland in 2011
In Switzerland, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae – EPPO A2 List) was detected for the first time in July 2011 in the cantons of Ticino and Graubünden (Grisons) (EPPO RS 2011/172). In the framework of a monitoring programme, traps (containing cidar vinegar and a yellow stick trap) were placed across the whole country in stone fruit orchards, small fruit crops and vineyards. At the end of 2011, results showed that adults of D. suzukii had been caught in small fruit crops in the cantons of Fribourg, Geneva, Graubünden, Ticino, Thurgau, Valais, Vaud and Zürich. The pest had also been caught in traps located in vineyards (Vitis vinifera) in Graubünden and Ticino, as well as in a plum (Prunus domestica) orchard in Graubünden and in one fig tree (Ficus carica) in Valais. It is noted that for the moment, the impact of the pest is difficult to predict but serious damage has been observed in small fruit crops: strawberry (Fragaria annassa), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) and blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Considering the spread of the pest, its eradication no longer seems feasible. Preventive control measures, including monitoring (traps), destruction of attacked and fallen fruit, mass trapping (for private gardens only) are recommended. For the moment, there are no registered plant protection products against D. suzukii in Switzerland, but the possibility of using chemical or natural insecticides is currently being studied.
The situation of Drosophila suzukii in Switzerland can be described as follows: Present first caught in July 2011 in 2 cantons, now found in the cantons of Fribourg, Geneva, Graubünden, Ticino, Thurgau, Valais, Vaud and Zürich.
Sources
Kehrli P, Höhn H, Baroffio C, Fischer S (2012) La drosophile du cerisier, un nouveau ravageur dans nos cultures fruitières. Revue suisse de Viticulture, Arboriculture, Horticulture 44(1), 69-71.