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Black Cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) is a broadleaved tree species native to Northern- and Central-America which was introduced in many other parts of the world, especially in European countries. In many places it has been classified as an invasive species and its management is subject to hotly debates. This review provides an overview of the existing knowledge on the ecology and management of this species in its native and non-native range, with special focus on Europe. Based on the reviewed literature, Black Cherry is a fast-growing and light-demanding forest gap specialist, which tolerates most soil conditions. Depending on the forest site, the species has an either positive or negative influence on soil conditions and nutrient cycling. It is able to alter the forest species composition and site conditions in its non-native range, necessitating control measures in nature conservation areas. However, the elimination of this species has been unsuccessful. Instead, the silvicultural integration of Black Cherry may provide a cost- and labor-effective alternative with additional benefits for forest owners. As a specialist for disturbed forest sites, the future importance of Black Cherry might increase under a changing climate, not only as an intermediate species in secondary succession, but also as a timber species comparable to other non-native tree species in Europe. • Black Cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) has an either positive or negative influence on soil conditions and nutrient cycling depending on the forest site. • Integration into silvicultural practices is a cost- and labour-effective alternative to control measures. • Black Cherry is able to alter species composition and site conditions demanding its control in nature conservation areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vinegar fly Drosophila suzukii Matsumara ( Diptera: Drosophilidae), native to Asia, recently invaded Europe and North America. By contrast to other frugivorous D rosophila species, D. suzukii lays eggs on ripening fruits, heavily reducing fruit production. Although cultivated host plants of D. suzukii are well documented, very little is known about wild hosts in the invaded areas., The American black cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh., a tree species native to North America, became one of the main woody forest invaders in Europe. One cause of its invasion success is the huge amount of fruit produced by P. serotina trees., A field survey showed that P. serotina is a suitable reservoir for the development and persistence of D. suzukii populations in European natural systems (on the forest area investigated, up to 70% of all the fruits of P. serotina were infested in one of the sampling sites)., Laboratory tests demonstrated that D. suzukii prefers ripening cherries to ripe ones, therefore increasing the chance of the larvae to fully develop and reach maturity before the mesocarp of the fruit totally decays., Infestation of P. serotina cherries could reduce the life span of fruits, as well as their attractiveness to seed consumers and dispersers, yet P. serotina could represent a suitable plant reservoir promoting D. suzukii invasion in Europe and North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]