Evaluating global Vaccinium germplasm for resistance against invasive Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Control of spotted-wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, in small fruits emphasizes biological, cultural, and chemical approaches, whereas studies of host plant resistance as a form of genetic control are just getting underway. The identification of resistance patterns among genotypes of host plants whose fruit, leaves, roots, stems, or seeds are specifically targeted by an invasive pest is the first step in the development of an effective genetic control. Therefore, a detached fruit bioassay was developed to screen for D. suzukii oviposition and larval infestation within berries from 25 representative species and hybrids of wild and cultivated Vaccinium. Ten Vaccinium species showed strong resistance; among them, two wild diploids originating from within the fly's native range: V. myrtoides and V. bracteatum. Other resistant species came from the sections Pyxothamnus and Conchophyllum. They included New World V. consanguineum and V. floribundum. Large-cluster blueberry, V. amoenum, and three Floridian genotypes of related rabbiteye blueberry, V. virgatum, were the only hexaploids expressing strong resistance against D. suzukii. Most screened blueberry genotypes from managed lowbush and cultivated highbush types were susceptible to the flies' attacks (i.e., oviposition). Tetraploid blueberries tended to host the most eggs, whereas diploids and hexaploids harbored 50%-60% fewer eggs, on average. D. suzukii cannot lay eggs or complete development in the smallest, sweetest, and firmest diploid fruits. Likewise, certain genotypes of large-fruited tetraploid and hexaploid blueberry strongly curbed D. suzukii egg-laying and larval growth, indicating the possibility of heritable resistance operating against this invasive fly species.