DrosoCerise

The DrosoCerise Project aims to develop a simulation tool to support integrated management of Drosophila suzukii, specifically designed for the cherry production sector. This initiative is part of the 2024–2030 national action plan led by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, and is integrated into the AIDS project: “For an Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Managing Drosophila suzukii in the Cherry Production.” The project seeks to revise current control strategies tageting D. suzukii, an invasive and polyphagous fruit fly that causes severe damage to cherry orchards. Its ultimate goal is to achieve integrated pest management that prioritize alternatives to synthetic pesticides. The AIDS project, coordinated by CTIFL in partnership with INRAE, is partially funded by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB).

As part of the AIDS project, a mathematical model of D. suzukii population dynamics is being developed to: (i) predict pest infestation, and (ii) evaluate and design effective control strategies based on the combination of multiple methods.
This model integrates key abiotic factors influencing the fly's life cycle (e.g. temperature, humidity, light, etc.) as well as biotic factors, especially resource availability within cherry orchards and surrounding landscape components (e.g. other crops and wild berries). Spatial dynamics are also incorporated including orchard connectivity at the territorial scale.

The framework supports the simulation of a broad array of pest control strategies, including:

• the use of (more) resistant cherry varieties
• removal of infested fruit
• insect-proof netting
• mass trapping
• biological control via parasitoid releases
• sterile insect technique through sterile male releases
• application of crop protection products.

DrosoCerise aims to make this complex mathematical model accessible via an interactive digital platform designed to support the development of novel pest management plans. Intended for both the general public and stakeholders in the cherry production sector, the platform will rely on optimized code to ensure fast and seamless performance. It will be delivered as a user-friendly web interface connected to remote computing servers, allowing users to simulate, test, and compare various strategies efficiently.

DrosoCerise will also serve as a tool in co-design workshops involving researchers and stakeholders, promoting shared understanding, collaborative decision-making, and broader adoption of the tool and its outputs.