Engineering transgenic Drosophila suzukii for wild population suppression & eradication
Author: Omar Akbari
Published: 2022
Summary: The spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) is a major worldwide crop pest of soft-skinned fruits. Current methods to control the SWD rely considerably on the use of expensive, broad-spectrum insecticides (e.g., malathion), which have variable efficacy, are difficult to use due to timing of fruit infestation, and face the risk of SWD evolving resistance. Additionally, use of broad-spectrum insecticides has led to disruption of integrated pest management systems developed for crops such as cherries and berries, and has had a serious impact on beneficial arthropods. However, there are no effective alternatives to managing the SWD infestation, and it is likely that, unless more effective control measures are developed, this pest will continue to spread.
