J. Ent. Acar. Res. Ser. II, 42 (3): 185-188 30 December 2010 L. SÜSS - M. CoSTaNzI Presence of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera Drosophilidae) in Liguria (Italy) Abstract - The presence of Drosophila suzukii in Liguria (Italy) on strawberries  and raspberries is reported.  Riassunto - Presenza di Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera Droso- philidae) in Liguria (Italia). Viene segnalata la presenza di Drosophila suzukii in Liguria, su coltivazioni di  fragola e lampone. Key words: Drosophila suzukii, alien insects, strawberry pest, raspberry pest, new  presence, Spotted Wing Drosophila. In fall 2010 was noticed a heavy infestation on strawberries in a greenhouse and on  raspberry in fields, near Savona (Liguria, Italy); the attacks were produced by larvae of  a Diptera, with activity in the fruits close to ripening. after the breeding in the laboratory, from the fruits came some adults of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931), (Spotted Wing Drosophila), a species from extreme orients,  but recently signaled both in North america and in europe as noxious on strawberries  (Fragaria spp.), raspberries (Rubus idaeus) and other Rubus spp., blueberries (Vaccinium  spp.), sweet cherries (Prunus avium), plums (P. domestica) and many others fruit crops  (kiwis, persimmons, peaches, table and wine grapes) (ePPo Quarantine alert, 2010). In the area near Savona some sporadic attacks were ascertained in the year 2009,  but for the farmer there weren’t important (pers. comm.). In the year 2010 the presence of this Diptera increases, with 30%-40% damages on  strawberries until 80% in the period of the most important attack. The most infested cultivar was Mara de Bois, a strawberries very fragrant, but with  the increasing of the attack, the cultivars annabel, Diamante and Sant’andrea were  damaged too. The top of the infestation was in September; the presence of Drosophila suzukii  was reduced in fall. The Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) belongs, at systematic level, to the melano- gaster group, suzukii subgroup. Journal of entomological and acarological research, Ser. II, 42 (3), 2010186 okada (1954) studied the general structures of the fallic organs of the melanogaster  group. In the case of D. suzukii the male genitalia are characterized by “aedeagus ap- parently bifid, pubescent ventroapically. Anterior paramere (forcep) broad, abruptly narrowing near apex and with a few subapical sensilla. Posterior paramere (stylus)  dorsobasally dilated and pubescent. Ventral fragma triangular. Novasternum (9th ster- nite, or hypandrium) with low lateral processes, paired fine spines and a small median projection instead of a medium notch” (Figure 1). The female can put the eggs in the fruits, close to the ripening, because the ovipositor  is characterized on the very long valvae, by a series of strong stings and another inner  triple row of teeth (Figure 2).  The damages on the fruits at the beginning appears as a light depression; the fruit  collapse around the feeding site; secondary fungal or bacterial infection may contribute  to the total destruction of the fruits. In Italy, the SWD was first found in the Province of Trento (Grassi et al., 2009).  The authors provides detailed description of this pest, the World distribution, biology  and damages. Consequently to the ascertained infestations in particular in USa, starting from  2008, and to the damages in Trento Province in 2009, this insect was added to the alert  list (ePPo rS 2010/007). Figure 1 - Drosophila suzukii: male genitalia. 187L. Süss, M. Costanzi: Drosophila suzukii in Liguria Figure 2 - Drosophila suzukii: female genitalia. In 2010 it was found in Tuscany region in occasion of faunistic studies without  causing damages (ePPo rS 2010/112). The diffusion in Trentino-alto adige region  was confirmed (ePPo rS 2010/178); since 2010 the SWD has been found in France,  in particular on cherry in Corse, on strawberries in alps-Maritimes and Var and in other  regions, on various fruit crops (ePPo rS 2010/111; ePPo rS 2010/179). The short life cycle (8-15 days, depending of the climatic conditions), the high  number of generation per year (in Japan this insect complete about 13 generations per  year) (Grassi et al., 2009), the damages on fruits of particular value render very worried  the progressive diffusion of D. suzukii in Italy. at the consequence, studies on the pos- sibility to get ready suitable strategies of pest control are necessary. reFereNCeS oKADA t., 1954 - Comparative morphology of the Drosophilid Flies I. Kontyû, 22, nos.1/2: 36-48. grASSi A., PALMieri L., giongo L., 2009 - Drosophila (Sophophora) suzukii (Matsumura). Nuovo  fitofago per i piccoli frutti in Trentino. Terra Trentina, 10/2009: 19-23. ePPo Quarantine alert, 2010. http://www.eppo.org/QUaraNTINe/alert_List/insects/droso- phila_suzukii.htm Journal of entomological and acarological research, Ser. II, 42 (3), 2010188 ePPo rS n. 1, 2010/007. http://archives.eppo.org/ePPoreporting/reporting_archives.htm ePPo rS n. 6, 2010/111. http://archives.eppo.org/ePPoreporting/reporting_archives.htm ePPo rS n. 6, 2010/112. http://archives.eppo.org/ePPoreporting/reporting_archives.htm ePPo rS n. 10, 2010/178. http://archives.eppo.org/ePPoreporting/reporting_archives.htm ePPo rS n. 10, 2010/179. http://archives.eppo.org/ePPoreporting/reporting_archives.htm LuCiAno SüSS - Dipartimento di Protezione dei Sistemi agroalimentare e urbano e Valorizzazio- ne delle Biodiversità (DiPSa), Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Celoria 2, I-20133,  Milano. e-mail: luciano.suss@unimi.it MArieLLA CoStAnzi - Istituto regionale per la Floricoltura (IrF), via Carducci 12, I-18038,  Sanremo (IM). e- mail: costanzi@regflor.it  accepted 20 December 2010