Conned by the enemy: the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae lures and kills Drosophila suzukii

Key Points

• The high pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae shows significant attraction to Drosophila suzukii, leading to potential pest control strategies.
• In trials using the ICIPE 78 isolate, the fungus effectively targets the fruit fly species known for agricultural damage.
• Analysis of commercial applications highlights Metarhizium anisopliae as a candidate for label extension to control Drosophila suzukii.
• This work supports the idea of using fungal pathogens for sustainable pest management; further field studies may be needed.