Support the rearing of the samba wasp ganaspis brasiliensis at pabil for release in NJ and the surrounding region to reduce SWD.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture received a $125,000 Cooperative Agreement awarded July 1, 2025, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025). The award supports the rearing and release of Ganaspis brasiliensis, a parasitic wasp species, to control Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) populations in New Jersey and surrounding regions. The department maintains a captive breeding colony of approximately 1,000 wasps per week during winter months and 2,500 wasps per week during summer months, sourced from excess flies generated during the parasitoid rearing process.

Under this one-year agreement (through June 30, 2026), the department delivers biological control services to fruit crop growers by releasing 1,000 G. brasiliensis wasps at each of ten New Jersey sites and providing additional wasps to regional collaborators for field releases across areas where SWD is established, including the Pacific Northwest and Eastern United States. The award also funds optimization of release strategies to enhance the effectiveness of this biological pest management approach for New Jersey and other affected states, directly benefiting commercial fruit producers threatened by this invasive agricultural pest.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to support the rearing of the samba wasp ganaspis brasiliensis at pabil for release in NJ and the surrounding region to reduce SWD.

Activities

Drosophila suzukii colony will be maintained from excess flies coming out of ganapsis brasiliensis rearing containers, maintain a G. Brasiliensis colony for release. Deliverables and expected outcomes: maintains approximately 1000 G. Brasiliensis wasps reared/week in the winter and 2500 G. Brasiliensis wasps reared/week summer. Release 1000 G. Brasiliensis wasps at each of the 10 NJ sites, provide G. Brasiliensis to regional collaborators for field releases. Continue to optimize release strategies for NJ and other states. Intended beneficiary(IES): fruit crop growers located where this pest is found. The current know distribution is the pacific northwest and most of the eastern half of the U.S including the mid-atlantic region. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a