The spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a new berry pest, appeared in Québec in 2010. Damage to unprotected fruit can reach nearly 100%. The project consisted of sterilizing the pest in the laboratory and mass releasing it in crops as a biocontrol method.
From 2014 to 2017
Project duration
Fruit production
Activity areas
Pest, weed, and disease control
Service
This project will lead to better control of the spotted wing drosophila, the country’s most devastating berry pest, which first appeared in Canada in 2006.
Innov'Action | Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec | Natural Resources Canada | Collège Montmorency | Université de Montréal | International Atomic Energy Agency
Scientific article • Annabelle Firlej
Lanouette G., J. Brodeur, F. Fournier, V. Martel, M. Vreysen, C. CaÂceres, A. Firlej. 2017. The sterile insect technique for the management of the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii: Establishing the optimum irradiation dose. PLOS ONE. 12(9) e0180821. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180821. DownloadResearch report • Annabelle Firlej
Firlej, A., J. Brodeur, V. Martel, F. Fournier. 2017. Les lâchers d’insectes stériles comme méthode de lutte biologique contre la drosophile à ailes tachetées : protocole de stérilisation, compétitivité des mâles irradiés et lâchers en conditions semi-naturelles. IRDA. 43 p. DownloadVideo • Annabelle Firlej, Élisabeth Ménard, Kim Ostiguy, Célia Bordier
Firlej, A., Menard, E., Ostinguy, K et Bordier, C.. 2022. . DownloadDesign and validation of a new generation of high tunnels with automatic retractable roofs, new roofing materials, and screens that will extend the harvest season.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
This project’s aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of HARVANTA® 50SL to control the cranberry weevil, the blackheaded fireworm and the cranberry fruitworm.
Researcher: Annabelle Firlej
In a high density strawberry crop grown in sod covered with plastic mulch, evaluate the toxicity of bioinsecticides for controlling tarnished plant bugs and strawberry blossom beetles and of bioherbicides for controlling weeds in and between crop rows.
Researcher: Daniel Cormier