Olive fruit
fly is the major insect pest of olive crops in many parts of the world. The fly has harmed olive production since
biblical times. The fly may be
indigenous to southern Africa and then spread following the path of olive
cultivation into the Middle East and southern Europe. In 1998, the fly was
first reported from southern California where it had begun to spread
widely. It was probably introduced
from the Mediterranean region by commerce.
Rapid spread occurred so that by the year 2002 the fly was found in
most areas throughout California where olives are grown. Widespread ornamental olive trees now also
serve as hosts for the olive fly.
This
insect lays its eggs in all sizes of olives, but prefers large green
ones. Eggs are laid underneath the
olive skin where they hatch in a few days in warm weather. The larvae then feed on the fruit pulp
during three larval stages and then pupates either within the fruit during
early and mid-summer or on the ground in late summer and fall. This fly only reproduces on olive fruit,
but the adults may feed on other sources such as honeydew, pollen, etc
Olive
damage is caused by feeding behavior and egg-laying scars on the olives. Small olives that are probed by the olive
fruit fly’s ovipositor may fall from the tree thereby reducing total
yield. Larvae feeding within the
olive will destroy its value as a table olive because these fruit may break
apart during the curing. Bacteria and
yeasts after olive activity may also reduce olive
Prior to
the establishment of olive fruit fly in California, olive growers in the
major production areas of California relied on natural enemies for control of
pests. But now the olive fruit fly
treatments of an insecticidal bait.
Treatments are made on a bi-weekly schedule until the olives are
harvested in September through November.
This has added significant costs to olive production.
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