Spotted-wing Drosophila Host Preference and Quality Vary among Half-high Blueberry Cultivars

Spotted-wing drosophila ( Drosophila suzukii ; SWD) is an invasive pest in the United States that responsible for significant economic damage to soft-skinned fruit and berries worldwide. SWD uses a wide variety of cultivated wild reproduction. Host suitability may depend on physical chemical factors fruit, with positive correlation oviposition larval development generally associated soluble sugar content, softer higher pH, negative firmness. Variety selection important tool integrated management, but few studies have reported host across varieties within single crop species SWD. In this study, we investigated five half-high blueberry cultivars, Chippewa, Northblue, Northland, Patriot, Polaris, using no-choice two-choice laboratory bioassays. Using potential index, our results showed Chippewa was most preferred cultivar as measured number eggs laid per Polaris least preferred. The inverse true development, survival rate adult emergence ‘Polaris’ than ‘Chippewa’. There relationship between firmness pH development. study indicate blueberries be promising management (IPM) tool, although further research under field conditions needed validation.