A reminder about this annoying fly
Drosophila suzuki, affects our cherries, strawberries, red fruits, grapes and, to a lesser degree, most of our fruit varieties. Unlike other usual parasites in our regions, its worm causes fruit to rot.
It comes to us from Asia, so our classical auxiliaries do not recognize it yet. It was therefore necessary to go and find some there and test them on our territory, which took several years because we had to ensure its survival, but also the absence of danger for local biodiversity.
Who is Trichopria drosophilae?
It is a micro Hymenoptera (micro-wasp) which will lay eggs in the cocoons of fruit flies and thus destroy some of the future adults of this fly.
– Paul Vignac
How to use it?
There it becomes a little more complicated because you have to anticipate.
The females of Trichopria lay in the pupae of Drosophila. They are sold in the form of pupae (cocoons). In addition the adult seems to need 15°C to survive. It is therefore necessary to dispatch the insects near the cocoons of the parasite, that is to say under a plant cover (a hedge for example) near the fruit trees parasitized the previous year.
In addition, it must be done before the emergence of parasitic flies, that is to say in March-April. It’s a bit like squaring the circle.
It is therefore recommended to make several successive releases.
Moreover, it is recommended to make a release at the end of the season.
A significant cost
About €35 for 500 individuals for 200 m² about two to three times at 2-week intervals. (75€ for 1 are per year).
Group together for an order because a bottle of 500 individuals can sow several amateur gardens.
Advice :
Take good account of the weather to come because it takes about a week between order and delivery and it is best to release the insects with a temperature of about 15°C.
The use of this auxiliary does not dispense with using other means of control, except for all phytos (including organic ones), such as fruit fly traps, which are already quite effective in reducing damage, especially on cherries.
In parallel, INRAE is testing a codling moth parasitoid, Mastrus wrinkles, which could help in the cultivation of apples, pears and nuts.
Ask all your questions during the gardening program on Sunday morning on France bleu Isère from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. by calling 04 76 46 45 45.