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Drosophila suzukii, spotted wing drosophila, is recognized as an economically significant new invasive pest of stone and, especially, berry fruits. This pest has been registered on the EPPO-A2 quarantine list. Due to the limited presence of natural predators on the European continent, this pest quickly proliferates, posing a significant threat to the agricultural economy by causing substantial losses in fruit production. As D. suzukii infestations commonly occur during the ripening stage, the main obstacle with chemical control methods is the risk of high residue in fruits. To face this issue, it is crucial to explore alternative control strategies. One of the possible effective methods involves the use of plant-derived bioactive compounds. Currently, there is ongoing research to identify essential oils with potential insecticidal properties for combating this challenge. The objective of this study was to assess the insecticidal and behavioural impacts of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) essential oils on D. suzukii adults in a multiple-choice test using blueberries treated with three concentrations of the anise essential oil. Additionally, the study monitored the emergence of adults from the treated berries. Using GC-MC chromatography, Bošković et al. the chemical composition of anise essential oil was determined, in order to understand the possible mode of action. The essential oil of anise showed high efficacy in the multiple choice test, since a lower number of laid eggs was recorded at all three application concentrations (1%, 5% and 10%) compared to the control (water and acetone). Our findings suggest that anise essential oil can serve as an alternative to chemical insecticides, which would enable the use of bioinsecticides based on this oil, in conventional, integrated, and organic crop production.

Drosophila suzukii poses a significant threat to berry fruits with its uncontrolled spread. Essential oils (EOs) have emerged as potential bioinsecticides due to their natural origin, mode of action, and biodegradability. Although EOs show potential for use in agriculture due to ecotoxicologically favourable characteristics, additional research is required to enhance their effectiveness, stability, and application for practical implementation in pest management. The primary objective of this research was the development of a bioinsecticide formulation based on a combination of three EOs – Pelargonium graveolens, Anethum graveolens, and Pinus sylvestris followed by the assessment of formulated bioinsecticide physicochemical properties. Using a two-choice bioassay, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of formulated bioinsecticides on D. suzukii, regarding their insecticidal properties through oviposition deterrence. The developed formulation exhibited favourable physicochemical properties and demonstrated a decrease in the number of larvae in fruits. Bioinsecticides present an environmentally friendly approach to pest control. However, further research and development are imperative to fully exploit their potential for effective crop protection in the field, followed by comprehensive research to evaluate the potential side effects on natural enemies, ensuring that their implementation doesn't harm beneficial organisms and maintain ecological equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]