The use of highly attractive yeast strains for controlling Drosophila Suzukii

We seek a highly motivated and high-quality PhD student with an active interest in research that provides impact for the horticultural sector for the following project:

The use of highly attractive yeast strains for controlling Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing drosophila)

Start: October 2017
Duration: 3 years

Funded by the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board
Research to take place at: The University of Lincoln and NIAB East Malling Research

Supervisors: Prof Matthew Goddard, Dr Michelle Fountain, Dr Catrin Günther

Applicants must hold at least a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject. International Students will require English Language at IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each element, or equivalent. The project requires travel between Lincoln and East Malling Research in Kent and field sites, so a driving license will be required. Applicants will ideally have some research experience. Applicants preferably will have experience with at least some areas of microbiology, molecular biology, entomology and ecology. Applications should comprise a CV, covering letter and nominated referees to: [Email Address Removed]. Informal enquiries are also welcome.

Project summary
This project will test and identify different species and strains of yeasts as feeding attractants to Drosophila suzukii, a major pest of soft- and stone-fruit crops, with the aim of using these in attract and kill baits for control in early and late season fruit production. Our aim will be to reduce reservoirs of overwintering adult flies before and after the main cropping period, reducing subsequent damage to crops and encouraging an integrated pest management approach to control.

The project is underpinned by research at the University of Lincoln who have identified yeast attractant strains to other Drosophila species and NIAB EMR who are identifying microorganism in the alimentary canal of wild UK populations of overwintering D. suzukii and testing commercially available baits, which to date are not showing a strong attraction in comparison to fruit.

The project will be a novel and exciting new collaboration between the University of Lincoln and NIAB EMR. The student will gain skills in crop husbandry, insect microbe associations, microbiological and molecular biology techniques, ecology, pest management, and data analyses and interpretation.

Project Aim:
To investigate attraction of a range of yeast strains for attraction and/or repulsion to Drosophila suzukii feeding and formulate blend for field testing for future use as baits in attract and kill strategies for crop protection.


Objectives:
1) Characterise the yeast community on ripening fruits (blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, cherry) and cherry leaf extra-floral nectaries using DNA sequencing approaches
2) Using isolates of UK yeast strains, test for the attraction to D. suzukii (laboratory choice testing using UK strains of D. suzukii)
3) Determine and test the blends of yeasts which are most attractive and whether these need to be active or latent
4) Determine the most appropriate time of year to use the baits for greatest efficacy (field testing when D. suzukii is most attracted and whether baits can compete with ripening fruits)