Occurrence, damage, and population dynamics of the olive fruit fly ( Bactrocera oleae  Gmelin) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

Özge ÖZDEN,Mehmet AKTAŞ,Murat HELVACI

doi:10.3906/tar-1802-101

Abstract

The olive is one of the most important crops of the Mediterranean region. Ninety-eight percent of the world?s olive production occurs in this region. However, pest control is a major concern of olive growers, and the olive fruit fly is one of the major economic pests. The aim of this research was to observe their population, infestation rates, and effect on the quality of olive oil. This research included 14 olive groves within 2 different locations. To determine the population dynamics of adult olive fruit flies, 6 yellow sticky traps were placed haphazardly within the tree canopies (approximately 1.5 m in height) of each olive grove between the months of July and December during 2015 and 2016. Results showed that the infestation rate decreases when relative humidity increases (Pearson correlation: -0.597; P = 0.01). On the other hand, negative weak correlation was observed between the altitude and infestation rate (Pearson correlation: -0.206; P = 0.01). Interestingly, positive moderate correlation was determined between average temperature and infestation rate (Pearson correlation: +0.523; P = 0.01). As expected, positive moderate to high correlation (Pearson correlation: +0.735; P = 0.01) was determined between the olive fruit fly infestation rate and oil/acid ratio. This research is the first comprehensive study of olive fruit fly population dynamics and provides valuable information of its ecology within the Mediterranean climate.

Highlights

Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is a member of the family Oleaceae, which is reported to have originated in Mesopotamia (Sakar and Ünver, 2016)
Many old cultivars are still cultivated to some extent in Northern Cyprus, the most cultivated cultivar is the local variety for both oil and table olives, and cultivar Gemlik is being produced (Tozlu et al, 2011)
Girne results showed that the highest infestation rate occurs in Lapta1 orchard in 2015 and 2016, whereas the second highest infestation rate was found in Karakum in 2015 and in Akdeniz in 2016

Summary

Introduction

Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is a member of the family Oleaceae, which is reported to have originated in Mesopotamia (including Southeast Anatolia) (Sakar and Ünver, 2016). Olive fruits are traditionally known to the beneficial for human health and are either consumed as oil or table olives (Medeiros, 2001). The islands of Cyprus and Crete are known as the origins of olives (Tozlu, 2007). Many old cultivars are still cultivated to some extent in Northern Cyprus, the most cultivated cultivar is the local variety for both oil and table olives, and cultivar Gemlik is being produced (Tozlu et al, 2011). Olive trees can host many different insects, both pest and beneficial. Olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae Gmel.) (Diptera; Tephritidae) is a key pest of olive fruit, and if not adequately controlled, extensive crop losses may reach

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