First records of the fruit pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in South Africa

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2254-8854/2025/a22307

Keywords:

Spotted Wing Drosophila, trapping network, rapid dispersal, pest monitoring

Abstract

Native to Southeast Asia, the fly Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), or Spotted Wing Drosophila, has become a major pest of soft-skinned fruits in several countries globally. However, its distribution in sub-Saharan Africa was limited to Kenya and some Indian Ocean Islands. In 2021, an industry-funded surveillance project was initiated to determine whether the pest was present in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. Trapping was conducted using lures developed for this species in bucket-type traps. The first D. suzukii detection was of a single male, trapped on the 25th of April 2022 in the Langkloof region in the Eastern Cape province. This research presents the first report of D. suzukii occurring within South Africa. We also present the results of ongoing surveys showing the current spread of the pest in South Africa.

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Author Biographies

  • Leigh Steyn, 1Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Entomology, researcher

  • Zion Jodamus, 1Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Conservation Ecology and Entomology, MSc student

  • Vernon Steyn, 1Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa and 2Insect Science (Pty) Ltd., Tzaneen, South Africa

    Insect Science, Managing Director

  • Amy Collop, 3Fruitfly Africa Monitoring Centre of Excellence, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Fruit Fly Africa, Researcher

  • Matthew Addison, 1Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa and 4HortGro Science, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Research Associate (HortGro Science)

  • Nanike Esterhuizen, 1Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa and 4HortGro Science, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    HortGro Science, Senior Research Technician

  • Minette Karsten, 1Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa and 4HortGro Science, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    HortGro Science, Researcher

  • Pia Addison, 1Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Associate Professor

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Published

2025-12-17

Issue

Vol. 33 No. 1 (2025): African Entomology Vol. 33 Issue 1

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Leigh Steyn, Zion Jodamus, Vernon Steyn, Amy Collop, Matthew Addison, Francois Bekker, Nanike Esterhuizen, Minette Karsten, Pia Addison

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

1.
Steyn L, Jodamus Z, Steyn V, Collop A, Addison M, Bekker G, et al. First records of the fruit pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in South Africa. Afr. Entomol. [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 17 [cited 2026 Jan. 21];33(1). Available from: https://www.africanentomology.com/article/view/22307