Fang Li1, Akihiko Yamamoto1, Esther J Belikoff1, Amy Berger1, Emily H Griffith2, Maxwell J Scott1. 1. Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7613, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7613, USA. 2. Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 8203, Raleigh, NC, 27695-8203, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931, Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a global pest of soft-skinned fruits such as blueberries, cherries and raspberries. Also known as spotted-wing drosophila, D. suzukii is native to Asia but is now widely distributed in the Americas and Europe and presents a serious challenge for growers. Genetic control strategies offer an environmentally-friendly approach for control of D. suzukii. RESULTS: In this study we have developed transgenic strains of D. suzukii that carry dominant conditional female lethal transgenes. When raised in the absence of tetracycline, female D. suzukii die. We show that repeated releases of an excess of transgenic males can suppress D. suzukii populations in laboratory cage trials. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that the transgenic strain could provide an effective approach for control of this invasive pest of soft-skinned fruits. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND:Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931, Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a global pest of soft-skinned fruits such as blueberries, cherries and raspberries. Also known as spotted-wing drosophila, D. suzukii is native to Asia but is now widely distributed in the Americas and Europe and presents a serious challenge for growers. Genetic control strategies offer an environmentally-friendly approach for control of D. suzukii. RESULTS: In this study we have developed transgenic strains of D. suzukii that carry dominant conditional female lethal transgenes. When raised in the absence of tetracycline, female D. suzukii die. We show that repeated releases of an excess of transgenic males can suppress D. suzukii populations in laboratory cage trials. CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that the transgenic strain could provide an effective approach for control of this invasive pest of soft-skinned fruits. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.