The effect of pupal cold treatment on chill-coma recovery time and reproductive success in two Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) population

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) is an invasive species causing significant economic losses. Effective control techniques for this species fall within a broad scope of study. However, due to population-specific differences based on local adaptations, population-specific approaches in effective control are crucial for sustainability. In this study, we examined chill coma recovery time (CCRT) and reproductive success in two temperate zone D. suzukii populations, utilizing differentiated treatments involving cold exposure during both pupal and adult stages. While no significant differences were found in CCRT between populations, notable variations were observed among treatment groups and sexes. Cold treatment during the pupal stage enabled faster recovery from chill coma in adults of both populations. However, this effect exhibited variation based on population and sex. Significantly different reproductive success was noted between the control group and the Pupa + Adult and Adult cold-treated groups. In contrast to CCRT, differences in reproductive success due to cold treatment during the adult stage resulted in opposite effects in populations. These findings suggest that strategies devised for combating this species should be tailored according to the local adaptations acquired by populations.