A novel biological attract and kill strategy for control of spotted wing drosophila: BIOAKIL

The global soft fruit industry suffers up to 80% crop losses from an invasive fruit fly, spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Growers rely on chemical insecticides to protect fruit from SWD, costing £11bn. We have identified a SWD pathogenic fungus and a bait which SWD feeds on. In this project we will test these two approaches in combination, to develop a more targeted and less environmentally damaging approach to SWD control. This strategy will be a first for this global pest and enable fruit growers to reduce insecticide inputs and residues, offering a potentially game-changing solution to SWD.