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Classical biological control, i.e., the introduction of natural enemies from an invasive pest’s area of origin, has been proposed repeatedly to control the spotted wing drosophila  Drosophila suzukii  in the Americas and in Europe. Results from surveys in Asia and laboratory experiments suggest the parasitoid G1  Ganaspis  cf.  brasiliensis  as a suitable biological control agent. To study the host specificity of the parasitoid under semi-field conditions, we conducted large-arena field cage releases. Parasitoids were released into cages at three dates in August 2021 in two regions of Switzerland. Released parasitoids had the choice to parasitize either  D. suzukii  larvae in fresh fruits (blueberries or elderberries) or the non-target native species  D. melanogaster  in decomposing fruits. The results were unequivocal in that apparent parasitism of  D. suzukii  larvae feeding in fresh fruits was on average 15%, whereas only one parasitoid emerged from  D. melanogaster  feeding on decomposing fruits (0.02% parasitism). Thus, the results support findings from previous laboratory experiments that G1  G.  cf.  brasiliensis  is highly specific to  D. suzukii  larvae feeding in fresh fruits and parasitism of the closely related  D. melanogaster  feeding on decomposing fruits is very rare. Because in its invaded range,  D. suzukii  is the only  Drosophila  species that can attack and develop in undamaged fresh fruits, we conclude that open field releases of the parasitoid G1  G.  cf.  brasiliensis  should not pose significant risks to non-targets.

Large-arena field cage releases of a candidate classical biological control agent for spotted wing drosophila suggest low risk to non-target species