Ganaspis

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ganaspis: /ɡəˈnæspɪs/

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Summary

Drosophila suzukii, commonly known as the spotted wing drosophila, is an invasive fruit fly originally from southeast Asia, now recognized as a major pest of soft summer fruits, due to its ability to infest ripe fruit and cause substantial economic losses to agriculture.

Physical Characteristics

Drosophila suzukii is small, approximately 2 to 3.5 millimetres (5⁄64 to 9⁄64 in) in length and 5 to 6.5 millimetres (13⁄64 to 1⁄4 in) in wingspan. Its body is yellow to brown with darker bands on the abdomen and red eyes. Males have a distinct dark spot near the tip of each wing; females do not. Females have a long, sharp, serrated ovipositor. The larvae are small, white, and cylindrical, reaching 3.5 millimetres (9⁄64 in) in length.

Identification Tips

The male Drosophila suzukii is identified by the distinctive dark spot near the tip of each wing, which is absent in females. The sharp, serrated ovipositor of the female is another distinguishing feature.

Habitat

Drosophila suzukii is associated with soft-skinned fruits and typically inhabits areas where these fruits are present, including orchards and berry fields.

Distribution

Originally from southeast Asia, Drosophila suzukii was first described in Japan in 1931. It has spread to North America, first being observed in California in 2008, and is now widely distributed across various states including Oregon, Washington, and Florida. It has also been found in parts of Europe, including Belgium, Italy, France, and Spain.

Diet

Drosophila suzukii primarily feeds on fresh, ripe fruits, laying its eggs under the skin of these fruits, where the larvae then develop and feed.

Life Cycle

The lifespan of Drosophila suzukii can vary from a few weeks to ten months depending on the generation. They can have up to 13 generations per season. Following the oviposition, larvae grow inside the fruit, which eventually allows them to leave or pupate.

Reproduction

Females can lay up to 300 eggs in their lifetime, typically depositing 1 to 3 eggs per insertion into ripe fruit.

Predators

Predators of Drosophila suzukii include earwigs, damsel bugs, spiders, ants, and minute pirate bugs such as Orius. Other potential predators are ground beetles, crickets, and birds.

Ecosystem Role

Drosophila suzukii plays a significant role in its ecosystem as both a pest and prey for various predators, impacting fruit availability in agricultural systems.

Economic Impact

Drosophila suzukii is a significant pest impacting soft summer fruits, causing an estimated economic loss of over $500 million in the U.S. due to damage to crops such as cherries, blueberries, and raspberries.

Collecting Methods

• Traps using apple cider vinegar and whole wheat dough for monitoring and capture.

Evolution

Drosophila suzukii has a slow rate of evolution attributed to its lower number of generations per year and ability to enter winter diapause.

Misconceptions

Drosophila suzukii is often confused with the western cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis indifferens), which is notably larger and has a different wing pattern.

Tags

• Drosophila
• Spotted Wing Drosophila
• Fruit Fly
• Pest
• Agriculture