title: Economic Impact of the Introduction and Establishment of Drosophila suzukii on Sweet Cherry Production in Switzerland.
abstract: First detected in Switzerland in 2011, the invasiveDrosophila suzukii, spotted wing drosophila, has caused recurring costs for growers of berries and fruit. Recommended management approaches rely on a set of methods, tailored to suit crop requirements under the prevailing local conditions. Control ofD. suzukiirepresents a substantial economic burden for growers, in terms of material, equipment, new infrastructure and extra labour. However, those growers who invest wisely to deliver unblemished produce are rewarded with high payoffs. We present insights from a growers' survey conducted in 2015 and 2016 to gauge the impact of the introduction and establishment ofD. suzukiion Swiss sweet cherry production. The surveyed growers (111 in 2015 and 298 in 2016) observed the recommended surveillance, sanitation and control measures. The use of insecticides (78% and 79% of respondents in 2015 and 2016, respectively) and the harvest of all fruits (93% and 59% of respondents in 2015 and 2016, respectively) were the most widespread methods used to reduce damage. Nearly one-third of the respondents set up enclosure nets. Our economic evaluation of different scenarios provides a quantitative indication of the potentially incurred costs. We argue for enhanced stakeholder involvement to raise the acceptance of integrated pest management practices, and to inform research and outreach by providing insights into the motivations and barriers to adoption.
authors.affiliation: Strategic Research Division Plant Protection, Agroscope, Schloss 1, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland. dominique.mazzi@agroscope.admin.ch.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mazzi
authors.affiliation: Competence Division for Research Technology and Knowledge Exchange Plants and Plant Products, Agroscope, Schloss 1, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland. esther.bravin@agroscope.admin.ch.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bravin
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Economics and Policy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Sonneggstrasse 33, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland. mmeraner@ethz.ch.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meraner
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Economics and Policy, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Sonneggstrasse 33, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland. rofinger@ethz.ch.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Finger
authors.affiliation: Competence Division for Research Technology and Knowledge Exchange Plants and Plant Products, Agroscope, Schloss 1, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland. stefan.kuske@agroscope.admin.ch.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuske
keywords: enclosure nets; harvest losses; insecticides; integrated pest management (IPM); invasive insect pests; mass trapping; sanitation; spotted wing drosophila; stone fruits; surveillance