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The Asian fruit fly (‘spotted wing drosophila’, Drosophila suzukii MATSUMURA, 1931) has been detected for the first time in Belgium in 2011. This species of Asian origin was first reported in North America in 2008 and in europe in 2009 (1, 2, 3). D. suzukii has become a notorious pest in North America, causing severe losses in fruit production (4). In europe, only a few reports of considerable crop damage from D. suzukii can be found (1, 5). Here we discuss the arrival of D. suzukii in Belgium and give recommendations for its identification and pest management.

On 21 September, 2011, a single male of the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, was captured in Ostend, Belgium (altitude 4 m ab. s. l.). This highly fecund species differs from most other members of the Drosophilidae in its ability to infect healthy ripening fruit instead of overripe, rotting fruit (1). D. suzukiican infect healthy softbodied fruit such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, or strawberries, and can even infect hard fruit such as apples and pears (4). After infestation, secondary parasites and invaders, such as Drosophila melanogaster, Nitidulidae, Botrytis and Rhizopus spp. often contribute to further fruit deterioration. These characteristics make D. suzukii an economically important pest species that requires management to the full extent possible.