First report of Drosophila suzukii in Ireland
In June 2015 a survey, specific to Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae – EPPO A2 List), was initiated at four nurseries located in Ireland. The counties selected were Dublin, Meath and Wexford. Between six to ten pheromone traps were set at each location, depending on overall farm size. Traps were monitored weekly from the second week of June. In the third week of August a single female was located from a trap located by the packing house on the Dublin farm with further male and female flies being located in traps at multiple locations on the farm the following week. Samples were identified using the EPPO Standard PM 7/115 (1) Drosophila suzukii and then passed to external experts for confirmation. In the following weeks a number of individuals were trapped from the hedgerows surrounding a soft fruit and stone fruit growing area (Dublin county). To date (2015-10-24) the peak number of adults found in week has averaged 8.1 per trap, with an approximate 3:1 male to female ratio.
The situation of Drosophila suzukii in Ireland can be described as follows: Present, first caught in 2015 in Dublin county.
Sources
NPPO of Ireland (2015-11).