Data from: Bait sprays combined with insecticides targeted at Drosophila suzukii have negligible impacts on non-target insects compared to full foliar spray applications

Current control of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii relies primarily
on insecticides, including the incorporation of phagostimulant baits. The
impact of insecticidal bait sprays on beneficial insects in crops is
largely unknown. Using a laboratory and field trial, we exposed non-target
insects to insecticides with or without bait and compared these to
non-insecticide controls. In laboratory arena tests, we assessed the
impact on mortality. In the subsequent commercial raspberry field trial, 1
m width spray bands of bait were applied weekly, using alternating 25% or
50% field rates of spinosad and cyantraniliprole respectively. Results
from the laboratory assays separated the insects into three categories: 1)
adult Eupeodes corollae, Forficula auricularia, and Orius laevigatus, 2)
adult Drosophila melanogaster, and 3) larval Chrysopa sp. and Adalia
bipunctata. In the first group, bait + spinosad or spinosad alone were
equally detrimental to the life expectancy of insects. For D.
melanogaster, bait + spinosad was faster acting than spinosad without
bait. No detrimental impact of the treatments was observed on the third
group of larval predators. Baits alone did not increase insect mortality.
In the raspberry crop there were no observed impacts of baits with
insecticides on the abundance of insect pollinators or natural enemies
compared to the full foliar applications of insecticides. This study is
the first to test a range of non-target insects for toxicity to low dose
insecticides combined with baits. Further field testing in commercial
crops should explore the placement of bait droplets for optimal D. suzukii
control, whilst minimising further impacts on non-target insecticides.