Chemical profiling of sugar-derived volatiles as a behavioral and developmental disruptor of spotted wing drosophila

Drosophila suzukii, an invasive fruit pest, poses a significant economic loss to soft-skinned fruit markets due to its unique ability to oviposit in ripening fruit. Current management heavily relies on insecticides, risking the resistance development and environmental harm. As a sustainable alternative, we investigated the behavioral impacts of a cellulose blend (CB) on D. suzukii. A key sugar-derived volatile compound, produced from processed plant materials, was identified via gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and evaluated across a range of concentrations for its effect on fly behavior and development disruption. This compound is known for its chronic toxicity in honeybees.
Using Drosophila activity monitor (DAM) and laboratory oviposition trials, we observed that low concentrations (0.5 mM and 5 mM) increased fly dwell time and reduced fruit oviposition. Middle concentrations (10 mM and 50 mM) enhanced attraction but induced developmental disruption, with delayed emergence. At high concentrations (100 mM and 500 mM), sugar-derived volatiles showed strong attraction, minimal oviposition, acute toxicity in adults, and significant developmental disruption.
These results demonstrate that sugar-derived volatiles can serve a dual function as an attract-and-kill or push-pull agent, influencing both behavior and development in D. suzukii. To make this tool effective for integrated pest management (IPM), we aim to identify concentrations that maximize attractiveness to D. suzukii while minimizing harm to beneficial insects. Moreover, investigating the developmental disruption with different concentrations of sugar-derived volatile compounds. With careful dose optimization and spatial targeting, this approach shows huge potential in IPM.