Laboratory experiments of Stigmatomyces majewskii (Laboulbeniales: Laboulbeniaceae) infection on Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Abstract

Originally endemic to Asia, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) is a serious agricultural pest that is spreading rapidly throughout the world. To suppress the growing D. suzukii populations, several pest management programs have been implemented. Researchers have searched for natural enemies, such as predators, parasites, parasitoids, and pathogens. We discovered an obligate ectobiont fungus, Stigmatomyces majewskii H. L. Dainat, Manier & Balazuc, 1974, which is associated with D. suzukii. Our laboratory experiments revealed that S. majewskii infection was successfully transmitted through self-grooming and sexual contact during the courtship behavior of D. suzukii, although non-sexual contact through other behaviors may also be involved. Infected flies lived long enough for S. majewskii to mature on the host. Other fitness traits, such as fecundity, are necessary to evaluate the effect of S. majewskii on D. suzukii.