project - Research and innovation
Mating disruption to fight olive moths
Mating disruption to fight olive moths
Objectives
NA
Objectives
Two species of moths, Prays oleae and Palpita unionallis, lay their eggs on flowers, fruits and the tree leaves so that larvae can feed on them. Intense attacks can cause serious damage in olive production. The most frequently-used method to fight this pest is spraying the olive trees with pesticides. However, pesticides may leave residues that can affect olive oil quality, and intensive pesticide use may increase resistance of the pest to the treatment and also negatively affect natural enemies. Mating disruption is being used successfully in vineyards and apple orchards to fight pests caused by moths. The present project explores the applicability of this technique to prevent olive moth attacks.
Activities
[CAN WE ADD A COUPLE OF SENTENCES ON THE MAIN ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT?]
Additional information
The method consists of applying pheromones to disrupt the orientation of males towards calling females and thus avoid them mating. Pheromone traps need to be put in the field to monitor the male population level and decide on the optimal time to apply the treatment. The treatment has to be applied annually so as to have a positive effect. Tests made during two years have shown an increase of male disorientation (higher than 90%). However, results have not proved to be optimal in reducing the moth larvae attacks, since the treatment should be applied in a wider area and not just in an experimental plot. Even though the method is not commercially available yet, the wide adoption of mating disruption for olive moths would bring many economic and environmental benefits by reducing the moth population and by reducing the use of chemical pesticides.
Project details
- Main funding source
- Other public (national, regional) research funds
- Agricultural sectors
- Olives and olive products
