Belgian scientists from the Flanders Institute of Biotechnology, with the participation of colleagues from Germany, found out which types of beer most effectively attract Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila suzukii fruit flies. The study was published in the scientific journal iScience.
Drosophila melanogaster is a harmless species of fruit fly that feeds on overripe fruits. However, its relative Drosophila suzukii poses a serious problem because it lays eggs in unripe grapes and apples and causes serious damage to agriculture.
Based on a detailed chemical analysis of 250 varieties of Belgian beer, the scientists selected 45 foam varieties with widely different aroma profiles. Tests have shown that D. suzukii has a clear preference for hoppy lagers and tripels, while D. melanogaster prefers red and amber ales, as well as highly fermented fruit beers.
“Light beers and tripel contain herbaceous and hoppy aromas that can be compared to green, ripening fruit. “Ales contain more esters, acids and phenols, which are usually found in ripe fruits,” the researchers explained.
Chemical analysis confirmed that yeast aromas such as pentyl acetate (a banana aroma) and ethyl acetate (a sweet, fruity odor) are more attractive to D. melanogaster, while plant aromas such as linalool (a citrusy and sweet odor) and geraniol ( floral, fruity smell), they prefer D. suzukii.
According to experts, the discovery could lead to new solutions to combat annoying or harmful insects without the use of pesticides.
