Brazil integrates international action to combat Drosophila suzukii

A small fly that has spotted wings, scientifically known as Drosophila suzukii was responsible for attracting and guaranteeing the first action of the American program Farmer to Farmer of Partners of the Americas in Brazil. Native to Asia, the plague is considered to be one of the major plagues expanding in the world currently.

The plague was detected in January of 2014 for the first time in Brazil causing damages on strawberries in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. At a result, the species was found in several other producing states, which has generated a big worry due to the potential of generating damages in different fruits, such as raspberry, blackberry and blueberry.

Currently, several research efforts have been conducted by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Company (Embrapa) and its partners in order to minimize the damages caused by the Drosophila in Brazil. The most recent was the support for the program Farmer to Farmer (http://vegaalliance.org/our-programs/farmer-to-farmer-program/), established for over 20 years in the United States.

The program conducts technical exchanges to help other countries, taking consultants to act in specific situation and attending joint activities of research and extension. According to Richard Perritt, project coordinator for the Americas, the expansion and the damages caused by the Drosophila were decisive for Brazil's choice and also in the identification by the Dr. Hannah Burrack of the Department of Entomology of the University of North Carolina to come to Brazil to help the Brazilian staff to define research actions aiming the plague management.

Among the major measures recommended by researcher Burrack are the strengthening at the identification of the plague in the property with samples of the fruits and use of saline solution and preventive management, with crop control, frequent harvests and property sanitation. “The tolerance with the occurrence of Drosophile on fresh fruits in the United States can be zero, depending on the type of sale. If a unique larvae was detected, all of the fruits of that producer can be rejected by the purchasers,” commented Burrack.

Another action that has also been conducted by Embrapa is the evaluation to speed up the registration of agrochemicals for that crop. “Based on these experiences of other countries that already suffered from suzukii, the damage can be total losses,” comments Perritt. He cites that there is no general data of losses by the plague in the state, but many properties already registered 30% losses and if measures are not taken the losses can cripple the crop.