Chemical profiling and functional characterization of hemicellulose-derived volatile, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural as a potential behavioral and physiological disruptor in <i>Drosophila suzukii</i> (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

The invasive, soft-skinned fruit dipteran pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), commonly known as the spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), causes severe damage to the blueberry production system in several western countries. Current management relies on frequent insecticide applications timed with fruit ripening, which increases resistance risk and environmental concerns. In this study, we investigated 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), a sugar derivative volatile identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis from a novel D. suzukii attractant Decoy Attract and Kill (A&K) (Batch no. 24026021), that exhibited strong behavior-disrupting effects on D. suzukii. We then evaluated the D. suzukii behavioral disruption of 5-HMF with electroantennography (EAG), Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM), and laboratory and field oviposition trials. Moreover, the toxicity of 5-HMF and its developmental delay were also assessed. Exposure to the 2 mM Decoy A&K and increasing concentrations of 5-HMF resulted in an increased residence time, suggesting prolonged attraction or orientation-change behavior. Flies exposed to ≥ 10 mM 5-HMF showed significantly lower egg counts in blueberries and exhibited increased mortality. Additionally, ≥ 5 mM of 5-HMF showed a clear dose-dependent developmental delay, from the egg to pupal and adult stages. These findings suggest that 5-HMF acts as both a behavioral and developmental disruptor for D. suzukii. Thus, 5-HMF can serve as a novel A&K candidate supporting integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for sustainable control of D. suzukii.