Integrated management of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) in sweet cherry orchards

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931), spotted wing drosophila (SWD), is one of the most serious pests of a wide range of soft-skinned fruit. After its arrival and spread in Europe, the number of insecticide applications to protect fruit increased. However, intensive use of insecticides poses serious concerns related to food safety issues, surge in pest resistance, and negative impacts on the environment. Our aim is to provide practical suggestions for the integration of cultural control strategies into the current sweet cherry SWD management programs. To assess the potential effectiveness of cultural control practices in reducing SWD damage, infestation levels of differently managed orchards were compared. The complete harvest, removal and proper disposal of unmarketable cherries were essential IPM procedures to reduce fruit infestation. In addition, cool and humid microhabitats suitable for SWD development should be avoided by frequent mowing the inter-row vegetation during fruit ripening. Insecticide applications, selection of cherry cultivar, landscape factors and canopy density were not related to SWD damage. To reduce the likelihood of fruit infestation in marketed fruit, IPM programs should include a timely and proper removal/disposal of fallen, overripe and damaged fruits, the shortening of harvest intervals, and a high mowing frequency of the inter-row vegetation