Beginning in summer 2022, Ganaspis brasiliensis Ihering (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) has been released across North America as a classical biological control agent for the management of the invasive Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae). D. suzukii is an economic pest of concern for the soft fruit industry around the world. In order to prevent D. suzukii infestation, many growers utilize regular insecticidal chemical applications. In this talk, we describe the impact of six common insecticides (Spinosad, Grandevo, Peracetic Acid, Pyganic, Delegate, and Assail) on the oviposition and survival potential of G. brasiliensis utilizing laboratory and semi-field methodologies. We examine the number of G. brasiliensis offspring emerging from D. suzukii-infested blueberries under varying times of exposure to the insecticides, simulating parasitism occurring in sprayed areas across time. The impact of these chemicals on the viability of G. brasiliensis offspring has implications for the use of G. brasiliensis as an augmentative biocontrol measure near chemically treated areas.
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