Spinosad bait sprays against the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae (Rossi)): effect on the canopy non-target arthropod fauna

Abstract

Abundance and diversity of arthropods were compared in olive trees treated against the olive fruit fly with spinosad bait sprays and an untreated control, paying special attention to predators and parasitoids. Spinosad bait sprays did not reduce the abundance and diversity of arthropods as a whole in the canopy. However, principal response curve analysis revealed a significant deleterious effect of the treatments on natural enemies in the last of the three years of study. The most affected taxa were Anthocoridae (especially Orius spp.) and Aphelinidae.