Receipt of application published on 31 August 2022
D22001 Application for authorisation to market the parasitoid G1 Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis for the classical biological control of spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii)
Publication in the Federal Law Gazette (BBI):
Applicant: Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG
Background:
- The spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) is an invasive alien species that originated in South East Asia and has been established in Europe since 2008.
- Females of the species lay their eggs in ripening fruit of a variety of different plant species, causing considerable damage, especially to fruit, berry and vine crops;
- Previous methods to control the spotted-wing drosophila have proven to be inadequate for a number of reasons (including lack of efficacy, risks to the environment and consumers, high effort and cost, other areas outside of agriculture where the drosophila can thrive);
- By using classical biological control (release and establishment of the harmful organism's natural predators), the aim is to reduce population densities of Drosophila suzukii permanently and throughout. G1 Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis has been identified for this purpose.
Description and origin of the organism:
- G1 Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis is a parasitoid ichneumon fly, also native to Asia, which parasitises and thus kills the eggs and pupae of the spotted-wing drosophila.
- Because of the high combined host and habitat specificity of G1 Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis, parasitisation occurs almost exclusively on D. suzukii in fresh fruit;
- The G1 Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis individuals that will be released are bred from individuals originating in Japan.
Objective and purpose of placing on the market:
- G1 Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis is to be released as a natural predator of the spotted-wing drosophila in Switzerland with the aim of permanently establishing the parasitoid ichneumon fly and reducing the population sizes of the drosophila species throughout the country.
Authorisation procedure:
- The procedure is governed by Articles 25 ff., 30 ff., 33 ff. and 42 ff. of the Release Ordinance of 10 September 2008 (SR 814.911).
Decision:
Last modification 15.03.2023
