Researches on the distribution of Drosophila Suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in fruit orchards, the population fluctuation, damage rate and tendency to traps in cherry orchards in Antalya province

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an invasive species that causes economic damage by spreading rapidly throughout the world. The pest, with its wide host range, damages ripening fruits and causes losses in product value. The pest entered Turkey in 2014 and has been recorded in many provinces and crops. Since the pest is new in Turkey and Antalya and farmers do not know about the pest, there is limited information about its control. This study was conducted for 3 years, between 2020 and 2022. To determine the pest distribution in Antalya, surveys were made in 68 orchards in 18 districts, and 37 orchards in 17 districts were considered infected. Infected fruits from orchards were examined to determine the hosts. Different biological stages of D. suzukii species were detected in cherry, sour cherry, apricot, and peach samples and considered hosts. A cherry orchard each in Korkuteli and Konyaaltı districts was checked every 2-3 days with traps for two years. The first adult emergence was 27/05/2021 and 26/05/2022 in Konyaaltı, and 27/05/2021 and 09/06/2022 in Korkuteli. Weekly counts were evaluated in the same orchards, and the highest population was reached on 02/07/2021 and 24/06/2022 in Konyaaltı, and 18/06/2021 and 24/06/2022 in Korkuteli. The last sighting dates in traps were 13/08/2021 and 01/08/2022 in Konyaaltı, and 25/06/2021 and 01/07/222 in Korkuteli. The average damage determined in cherry orchards in Antalya was 16.6%. As a result of laboratory and field tests, cherry vinegar proved to be the most effective vinegar.