{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Applying Satyrization to Insect Pest Control: The Case of the Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura.
{Author}: Cerasti F;Mastrantonio V;Dallai R;Cristofaro M;Porretta D;
{Journal}: Insects
{Volume}: 14
{Issue}: 6
{Year}: 2023 Jun 19
{Factor}: 3.139
{DOI}: 10.3390/insects14060569
{Abstract}: Drosophila suzukii represents one of the major agricultural pests worldwide. The identification of safety and long-lasting tools to suppress its populations is therefore crucial to mitigate the environmental and economic damages due to its occurrence. Here, we explore the possibility of using satyrization as a tool to control the abundance of D. suzukii. By using males of D. melanogaster, we realized courtship tests, spermathecae analysis, and multiple-choice experiments to assess the occurrence and extent of pre- and post-zygotic isolation between the two species, as well as the occurrence of fitness costs in D. suzukii females due to satyrization. Our results showed that: (i) D. melanogaster males successfully courted D. suzukii females; (ii) D. melanogaster males significantly affected the total courtship time of D. suzukii males, which reduced from 22.6% to 6.4%; (iii) D. melanogaster males were able to inseminate D. suzukii and reduce their offspring, inducing a high fitness cost. Reproductive interference occurs at different steps between D. melanogaster and D. suzukii, both alone and in combination with other area-wide control approaches.