Adventively established Leptopilina japonica: a new opportunity for augmentative biocontrol of Drosophila suzukii

Abstract The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii , has emerged as a significant global pest over the past decade, threatening fruit production worldwide. The parasitoid Leptopilina japonica , presumed native to East Asia, has established adventive populations in Europe and North America and is increasingly recognized for its ability to parasitize substantial proportions of D. suzukii larvae across diverse habitats. Here, we provide a broad review of the biology, establishment, distribution, and potential impacts of L. japonica . Using field data from international monitoring programs, we document the seasonal dynamics of plant–host–parasitoid associations and assess evidence for L. japonica ’s impact on D. suzukii and non-target organisms. Findings indicate that L. japonica has successfully established in several areas where D. suzukii is present in Europe and North America, showing promise as a biological control agent to support sustainable pest management. Current data suggest it provides some suppression of D. suzukii populations with minimal non-target effects. However, long-term studies are necessary to clarify its food web interactions and efficacy as a biological control agent. In areas where L. japonica has been established, we propose its use in augmentative biological control programs to enhance its impacts in specific agricultural settings. Case-specific evaluations of its ecological effects and role in integrated pest management, supported by continued monitoring, are essential. The case of L. japonica illustrates the need for clear, research-informed policies to guide the use of adventively established non-indigenous natural enemies in pest management.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Pest Science
Published
2025-05-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-025-01907-0
Citations
14
Primary Topic
Insect behavior and control techniques
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
21.74

Funders

Controls
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article

Adventively established Leptopilina japonica: a new opportunity for augmentative biocontrol of Drosophila suzukii

Simone Puppato, Cesar Rodriguez‐Saona, Pablo Urbaneja‐Bernat, Nicola Mori et al.
14 citations
Journal of Pest Science
Insect behavior and control techniques
21.74
article

Adventively established Leptopilina japonica: a new opportunity for augmentative biocontrol of Drosophila suzukii

Simone Puppato, Cesar Rodriguez‐Saona, Pablo Urbaneja‐Bernat, Nicola Mori, Philip D. Fanning, Jana C. Lee, Nicolas Borowiec, E. H. Beers, Luciana Tavella, Ashfaq Ahmad Sial, Massimo Giorgini, Patricia Prade, Benjamin D. Johnson, Xingeng Wang, Annette Herz, Emilio Guerrieri, Gregory M. Loeb, Kent M. Daane, Daniela Lupi, Jana Collatz, Vaughn M. Walton, Juli Carrillo, Francesco Tortorici, Paul K. Abram, Gianfranco Anfora, Marco Valerio Rossi Stacconi, J. H. Martin, Chandra E. Moffat, A. Grassi, Steven Van Timmeren, Heinz Döbeli, Rufus Isaacs, Lorenzo Fellin, Silvia Schmidt, Kyoo Rok Park, Tara D. Gariépy, Lukas Seehausen, Fabrizio Lisi, Antonio Biondi, Antonio Masetti, Grace Wang, Giovanni Dal Zotto, Asia Colmagro
article en
14 citations

Abstract

Abstract The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii , has emerged as a significant global pest over the past decade, threatening fruit production worldwide. The parasitoid Leptopilina japonica , presumed native to East Asia, has established adventive populations in Europe and North America and is increasingly recognized for its ability to parasitize substantial proportions of D. suzukii larvae across diverse habitats. Here, we provide a broad review of the biology, establishment, distribution, and potential impacts of L. japonica . Using field data from international monitoring programs, we document the seasonal dynamics of plant–host–parasitoid associations and assess evidence for L. japonica ’s impact on D. suzukii and non-target organisms. Findings indicate that L. japonica has successfully established in several areas where D. suzukii is present in Europe and North America, showing promise as a biological control agent to support sustainable pest management. Current data suggest it provides some suppression of D. suzukii populations with minimal non-target effects. However, long-term studies are necessary to clarify its food web interactions and efficacy as a biological control agent. In areas where L. japonica has been established, we propose its use in augmentative biological control programs to enhance its impacts in specific agricultural settings. Case-specific evaluations of its ecological effects and role in integrated pest management, supported by continued monitoring, are essential. The case of L. japonica illustrates the need for clear, research-informed policies to guide the use of adventively established non-indigenous natural enemies in pest management.

Journal of Pest ScienceVol. 98(4)
Fondazione Edmund Mach (IT), Roche (Switzerland) (CH), University of Verona (IT), Oregon State University (US), Eurac Research (IT), Julius Kühn-Institut (DE), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (CA), University of British Columbia (CA), University of Georgia (US), University of Milan (IT), University of Trento (IT), Cornell University (US), Virginia Cooperative Extension (US), University of Catania (IT), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR), Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IT), Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (ES), Beneficial Designs (United States) (US), Agroscope (CH), Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory (US), Institut Sophia Agrobiotech (FR), Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission (US), CABI Switzerland (CH), London Research and Development Centre, Summerland Research and Development Centre, Agassiz Research and Development Centre, University of Turin (IT), Washington State University (US), University of Maine (US), Michigan State University (US), University of Bologna (IT), University of California, Berkeley (US)
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Oregon Blueberry Commission, Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, Università di Catania, Università di Bologna, Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft, Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Insect behavior and control techniques
21.74
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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