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Author ORCID Identifier
https:/orcid.org/ 0009-0009-3183-0924
Date Available
5-8-2026
Year of Publication
2026
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department/School/Program
Entomology
Faculty
Nicholas Teets
Faculty
Chuck Fox
Abstract
Invasive species are a growing problem, and it is important to investigate how invasives interact with novel ecosystems, which are characterized by distinct abiotic and biotic factors. In this dissertation, I investigate abiotic and biotic factors affecting two invasive pests in central Kentucky, Drosophila suzukii and Zaprionus indianus. In Kentucky, seasonality, and landscape features on population dynamics and fitness are unknown. I found that D. suzukii overwinters in Kentucky and that wild berry species improve winter survival. I used local weather data to identify meteorological variables that best predict D. suzukii populations. I tested the extent to which D. suzukii is capable of rapid adaptation in response to seasonal temperature cues, and found populations become less cold tolerant over the growing season, which is reflected in their population genetic makeup. Finally, I investigated species interactions between D. suzukii and Z. indianus, another invasive drosophilid. I found that the extent of both facilitation and competition depends on the type of host fruit, and that Z. indianus could be a primary pest in raspberries. This research advances understanding of the biology and management of D. suzukii and Z. indianus in Kentucky and addresses important fundamental concepts in invasive species biology.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2026.131
Archival?
Archival
Funding Information
1. Agricultural and Food Research Initiative Education and Workforce Development Predoctoral Fellowship
2. project award number 2023-67034-40360.
3. 2023-2026
Recommended Citation
McCabe, Eleanor, "Seasonal population dynamics and interspecific interactions of Drosophila suzukii" (2026). Theses and Dissertations--Entomology. 98.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/entomology_etds/98
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