Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of field releases of nymphs of Anthocoris nemoralis (F.) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) in controlling the olive psyllid, Euphyllura olivina Costa (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Field trials were conducted in two successive years (2014 and 2015) in two organic olive orchards located in the region of Sfax (Tunisia) using two treatments: low (release of 10 A. nemoralis nymphs/tree) and high (release of 40 A. nemoralis nymphs/tree) applied two times, the first on March 3 and second on March 17. In both olive orchards, the high treatment was the most effective in controlling the increase of E. olivina in the spring. The A. nemoralis population grew gradually and reached a single peak towards the end of April. In control and low treatment plots, despite the significant increase in predator populations, psylla abundance was not controlled. After the second release, however, in high treatment plots a reduction in psyllid density was recorded. An expected effect of the A. nemoralis releases was a reduced parasitic activity of Psyllaephagus euphyllurae (Masi) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae).
Highlights
In Tunisia, olive (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea) is one of the most important agricultural crops
This study investigated the effectiveness of field releases of nymphs of Anthocoris nemoralis (F.) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) in controlling the olive psyllid, Euphyllura olivina Costa (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)
This paper describes results of field trials carried out to quantify the effectiveness of augmentative releases of A. nemoralis nymphs in controlling the abundance of E. olivina
Summary
In Tunisia, olive (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea) is one of the most important agricultural crops. Olives are the only crop and are of great economic and social importance (Debo et al, 2011). Olives are attacked by several insect pests (Jarraya, 2003). Among these pests, the olive psyllid, Euphyllura olivina Costa (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is the most serious (Ksantini, 2003). High psyllid populations can affect the vegetative development, fertility and reproduction of olive trees (Prophetou & Tzanakis, 1976; Arambourg, 1984; Jardak et al, 1985; Saeb et al, 2001; Ksantini et al, 2002; Jardak et al, 2004; Tzanakakis, 2006), causing economic losses of up to 60% of total production in some Mediterranean Basin countries (Jardak et al, 1985; Tzanakakis, 2006). Deltamethrin and dimethoate are the most frequently used to control the olive psyllid, olive fruit fly and olive moth (Ksantini, 2003)
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