Palpita Unionalis Research Articles

Demographic toxicology of insect growth regulators on the nontarget ectolarval parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor

Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the most important parasitoids of many pyralid moths, including the olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The widespread use of insecticides threatens natural enemies. Assessing the side effects of insecticides on nontarget organisms supports the rational use of insecticides during field application. The present study evaluates the lethal and sublethal effects of three insect growth regulators (IGRs), novaluron, methoxyfenozide, and pyriproxyfen, on P. unionalis and the demographic toxicology of these IGRs on its parasitoid H. hebetor. The LC50 values of these IGRs on P. unionalis were 0.97, 0.176, and 0.00009 ppm, respectively, indicating that pyriproxyfen was the most toxic. When H. hebetor adults were exposed to these LC50 levels under laboratory conditions to determine possible side effects. The IGRs did not affect the paralysis and parasitism rates of the parasitoid nor the sex ratio of its offspring. IGR treatments slightly reduced hatching rates and immature survival by 15–25%, indicating moderate effects on the early developmental stages of H. hebetor. The longevity and fecundity of treated females were each reduced to < 50% of their respective values in untreated females. Additionally, some demographic parameters of the parasitoid were significantly affected by the IGRs. Nevertheless, despite these observed effects, the positive net reproductive rate (R0 > 0) and intrinsic rate of increase (rm > 1) of H. hebetor indicated an exponential population increase that reflects the compatibility of the IGRs with the parasitoid. Our results demonstrated that the tested IGRs could be categorized as relatively harmless compounds to the parasitoid. Following these laboratory assessments, field studies will be required to confirm the effects of the tested IGRs on H. hebetor as well as other nontarget organisms.

Biocontrol efficacy of native protease-producing bacterial isolates against the olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

BackgroundThe olive leaf moth (OLM), Palpita unionalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), poses a significant threat to olive cultivation. This study focused on isolating protease-producing bacteria from moribund field strains of P. unionalis larvae and assessing their larvicidal efficacy against laboratory strains through estimated LC30, LC50, and LC90 values. Additionally, the long-lasting impacts of LC50 values on pupal and adult stages were evaluated.ResultsThree entomopathogenic bacteria, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Pseudomonas putida, and Bacillus subtilis, were isolated. The larvicidal efficacies of these isolates varied, as B. subtilis exhibiting greater efficacy at LC30 and LC50 values, while P. putida showed the most potent effect at the LC90 value. Conversely, B. amyloliquefaciens demonstrated the lowest larvicidal potentialities at LC50 and LC90 values, with P. putida being the least effective at the LC30 value. The toxicity regression lines indicated increased larval lethality with each unit increase in concentration, as evidenced by the positive slope values. Chi-square (χ2) values suggested a better fit and supported the reliability of the estimated lethal concentrations. Exposure to LC50 values s resulted in significant elongation of larval duration and reduction in weight, whereas pupal lifespan, adult emergence, and sex ratio showed non-significant differences compared to untreated controls.ConclusionsThe study highlights the promising role of these biological candidates in pest control programs as eco-friendly alternatives, potentially enhancing safe plant production. The varied larvicidal efficacies of the bacterial isolates, along with their proteolytic capabilities, underscore their potential as biocontrol pathogens against OLM, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.

Identification of a new nucleopolyhedrovirus isolated from the olive leaf moth, Palpita vitrealis, from two locations in Egypt

The olive leaf moth (jasmine moth), Palpita vitrealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an important insect pest of olives in several Mediterranean countries. A new alphabaculovirus was isolated from diseased larvae of P. vitrealis in Egypt, first in Giza in spring 2005 and again in Marsa Matrouh in 2019.The larvae exhibited typical symptoms of a baculovirus infection. Light and scanning electron microscopy studies revealed polyhedral occlusion bodies. Transmission electron microscopy of ultrathin sections of purified OBs revealed virions with multiple embedded nucleocapsids. The identity of the two virus isolates was confirmed by sequencing the partial polyhedrin and lef-8 genes, and sequence comparison suggested a relationship to group I alphabaculoviruses. Therefore, this virus was termed Palpita vitrealis nucleopolyhedrovirus (PaviNPV). Whole genome sequencing of the PaviNPV isolate from Giza (Gz05) revealed a genome of 117,533 bp, 131 open reading frames (ORFs) and four homologous repeat (hr) regions. Phylogenetic reconstruction and genetic distance analyses using 38 core genes indicated that PaviNPV should be considered to belong to a novel species within the genus Alphabaculovirus. In bioassays, PaviNPV was highly virulent against second-instar larvae of P. vitrealis. The study reports a novel baculovirus that might have potential as a biological control agent of the olive leaf moth.

Decreased Water Use in a Super-Intensive Olive Orchard Mediates Arthropod Populations and Pest Damage

In Spain, water use in agriculture is expected to become limited by resources in the future. It is pertinent to study the effect of decreased irrigation on the presence of pests, plant damage, and arthropod communities in a super-intensive olive orchard examined from 2017 to 2019. Arthropods were studied with visual and vacuum sampling methods in two irrigation treatments (T1—control and T2—Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI)). Univariate analyses showed that the total arthropod abundance was significantly greater in T1 than in T2 in 2018 and 2019, mostly due to Diptera Nematocera. Visual sampling revealed that the feeding damage produced by Eriophyidae (Trombidiformes) was significantly lower in T2 in 2018 and 2019: 10–40% of shoots were affected in the late season compared with 50–60% affected for T1. The feeding symptoms caused by Palpita unionalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Zelleria oleastrella (Milliere) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) were significantly less for T2 than for T1. Multivariate principal response curves showed significant differences between irrigation strategies in the 2018 and 2019 data for both sampling methods. In conclusion, irrigation schemes with restricted water use (T2—RDI) help to reduce the abundance of several types of pests in olive crops, especially of those that feed on the plants’ new sprouts.

Biological study of jasmine leaf webworm, Palpita unionalis (Hubner) (Pyralidae: Lepidoptera)

The leaf webworm, Palpita unionalis (Hubner) is one of the major pests of jasmine (Jasminum sambac). The biology of leaf webworm, P. unionalis, depicts an incubation period of 4.90 ± 0.73 days. The total larval and pupal periods are 19.50 ± 2.54 and 9.40 ± 1.17 days, respectively. The longevity of male and female moths is found to be 11.80 ± 1.68 and 7.20 ± 1.13 days, respectively. The recorded total life cycle for male and female moths is 45.62 ± 6.12 and 41.00 ± 5.57 days, respectively. It was also observed that the longevity of male moth is higher as compared to that of the female.

The first detection of the olive leaf moth Palpita vitrealis (Rossi) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) as a serious pest in Biskra province (Algeria)

In Algeria, little is known about the jasmine moth Palpita vitrealis (Rossi) [synonym Palpita unionalis (Hubner)]. It was not previously considered to have significant economic impacts on olives. However, during 2018, in several localities in Biskra province, Algeria, damage caused by larvae feeding on terminal buds, young leaves and shoots attracted the attention of farmers and researchers. In this province, this is the first time that P. vitrealis has been reported as a pest associated with olive trees. A morphological description of this species is given, as well as information on the symptoms and damage that have been observed.

Toxicity of Two Extracted Destruxin Against Palpita unionalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) under Laboratory and Field Conditions

Olive trees are subjected to attack by many insect pest species that affect yield quality and quantity. Among the most common olive pest species surveyed in Egypt is Palpita unionalis. The fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin produces some cyclic peptide toxins, destruxins, Destruxin which may play a role in its pathogenicity in insect pests and decreases the infestations of many harmful pests. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of this two solated Destruxin (Destruxin A-760 and Destruxin A- 724) against P. unionalis under laboratory and field conditions. The results obtained showed that the LC50 of Destruxin A-760 on the third larval instars was 151 ppm. However, when Destruxin A- 724 was applied on the target pest, the LC50 reached to 185 ppm. Under field conditions, both isolated Destruxin declined the rate of infestation by P. unionalis with the least infestation in case of treatment with Destruxin A- 724 compared to untreated olive trees. The yield of harvested olive fruits increased due to treatment with isolated Destruxin the highest yield in case of trees treated with Destruxin A-760.

Effects of Palpita unionalis and Galleria mellonella larval densities on functional response, egg dispersion and progeny sex ratio of Habrobracon hebetor

ABSTRACTTo assess the potential of the hymenopteran ectoparasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor Say as a biological control agent, we evaluated its response to different larval densities of two pyralid hosts, Palpita unionalis Hbn. and Galleria mellonella L. The former host is a serious pest of olive trees, whereas the latter is used as a factitious host in parasitoid mass rearing. In order to study the functional response of the parasitoid, five host densities (1, 2, 3, 5, 7) of either late instar larva per Petri dish were used. The shape of the functional response curve was determined using logistic regression and could be described as a type II response for both hosts, characterised by a monotonic decelerating increase in the number of hosts attacked with increasing host density. Female parasitoids allocated more eggs to the first larva attacked than all the remaining larvae. Aggregated dispersion patterns for parasitoid egg distribution at different host densities were estimated using the Green index. Multiple visits and ovipositions by females did not significantly affect the total number of progeny produced or their sex ratio. This study has generated novel information on egg laying, egg distribution and sex ratio of H. hebetor when reared on G. mellonella and has the potential to be used in the development of sustainable biological control programmes aimed at P. unionalis in olive orchards.

Toxicity and Disruptive Impacts of Novaluron, A Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor, on Development and Metamorphosis of The Olive Leaf Moth Palpita unionalis

Toxicity and Disruptive Impacts of Novaluron, A Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor, on Development and Metamorphosis of The Olive Leaf Moth Palpita unionalis

Disturbing Effects of Three Insect Growth Regulators on General Body Metabolism of the Olive Leaf Moth, Palpita unionalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The olive leaf moth Palpita unionalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is an economic pest of the commercial olive groves in Egypt and different Mediterranean countries. The present study was conducted aiming to assess the disturbing effects of three novel IGRs, viz. Novaluron, Methoxyfenozide and Pyriproxyfen (LC50 values: 0.97, 0.176 and 0.00009 ppm, respectively) on the main metabolites (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) in haemolymph and fat bodies of larvae (24 h-, 48 h- and 72 h-post-treatment) as well as in the developed pupae (3-day, 6-day and 9-day old pupae). Both Novaluron and Pyriproxyfen prevalently enhanced the treated larvae to gain increasing protein content in haemolymph, but Methoxyfenozide enhanced only the 48 h-old larvae. In the fat bodies, all IGRs predominantly prohibited the treated larvae to attain normal protein content. All of the tested IGRs profoundly prevented the developed pupae to attain normal protein level, regardless of the age. The carbohydrate content in haemolymph of larvae was dramatically declined, regardless the age. In larval fat bodies, all of the tested IGRs exerted suppressing actions on the carbohydrate content. In the developed pupae, carbohydrate content had been decreased, regardless of the tested IGR or the pupal age. The total lipid content in the haemolymph of treated larvae was elaborately declined, regardless the larval age. In fat bodies, all IGRs induced the larvae to gain more lipids. In the developed pupae, the lipid content was pronouncedly increased by Novaluron and Methoxyfenozide but dramatically reduced by Pyriproxyfen.

Life tables of Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its Host; Palpita unionalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The reproductive performance of the ecto-larval parasitoid Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as well as its host; the olive leaf moth Palpita unionalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was studied in the laboratory at 27 ± 2 oC. The P. unionalis is an important pest on olives, and also feeds on other host plants from the family Oleaceae. The estimated life table parameter was the net reproductive rate (Ro), the mean generation time (T), the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) and the finite rate of increase (λ). This parameter was represented by 68.28, 20.01, 0.15, 1.17 for B. hebetor and 68.54, 32.09, 0.13 and 1.14 for P. unionalis, respectively. Females of the parasitoid lived for 21.8 ±1.97 days. The average number of eggs oviposited by females was 365.6 ±44.94. Immature survival from egg to adult was 41%. Sex ratio of wasp progeny (females/total) was 0.46. P. unionalis females lived on average for 9.10 ±0.35 days and deposited 179.98 ± 22.64 eggs/female. Survival rate for immature was 68%. Sex ratio of progeny was 0.55. The results concluded of this study can be used to improve mass rearing programs and support in oculative release applications of B. hebetor against the olive leaf moth.

Efficacy of eco-smart insecticides against certain biological stages of jasmine moth, Palpita unionalis Hb. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The efficacy of six eco-smart insecticides, Dipel 2x 6.4% WP (Bacillus thuringensis AI), Biofly 100% WP (Beauvaria bessiana AI), Radiant 12% SC (Saccharopolyspora spinosa AI), Mectin 1.8% EC (Streptomyces avermitilis AI), Nimbecidine 0.03% EC (Azadirachtin AI) and Bio-Power 50% EC (Beauvaria bessiana AI), were tested against eggs, larvae and pupae of the jasmine moth, Palpita unionalis Hb. and its parasitoid Apanteles syleptae under laboratory conditions. Data indicated that all tested insecticides had ovicidal activity against P. unionalis. Mectin was the most toxic among the tested insecticides against the egg stage, followed by Radiant or Dipel 2x, and their respective values of LC50 were 0.005 cm/l, 0.006 cm/l and 0.055 g/l. Dipel 2x was the most toxic insecticide to the 1st instar larvae of P. unionalis, whereas Mectin was the most toxic to both the 3rd and 5th instar larvae. Also, the results revealed that Mectin was the most effective against the pupal stage, followed descendingly by Radiant and Dipel 2x. The toxicity index values showed a superior efficiency of Mectin at LC50 (100%) against eggs, 3rd and 5th instar larvae, and pupal stage, whereas Dipel 2x showed such superior efficiency at LC50 (100%) only against 1st instar larvae. The results showed that the percents of pupation and emergence of moths were significantly different in all treatments compared to control, while deformed pupae and malformed adults were insignificantly different when fifth instar larvae were treated with the tested insecticides. Moreover, the rate of P. unionalis adult emergence from treated pupae was concentration-dependent and significant differences were found between insecticide treatments and control. Generally, Mectin, Radiant and Dipel 2x caused the highest impacts on adult emergence and malformed adults percentages. Regarding the toxicity of insecticides to the endoparasitoid A. syleptae, the treated cocoons developed to adult stages with no significant differences compared to control. Meanwhile, the longevity of the emerged parasitoid adults did not differ among the insecticides treatments and control.

The population trend of Palpita unionalis in different olive varieties in Egypt

Jasmine moth (JM), Palpita unionalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a very important pest in the commercial, densely planted olive orchards in Egypt. In years of its highest population density, it can destroy a significant part of the crop. The objectives of this study were to determine the male flight trend and egg laying trend of the JM in three large plots of different olive varieties (two varieties/plot) in two successive fruiting seasons. Differences in male flight trend and egg laying trend of JM were observed among the different varieties (‘Sennara’, ‘Toffahi’, ‘Shamy’). In 2003, more males were captured in traps placed in the Sennara/Toffahi plot than in the two Shamy/Toffahi plots. Egg densities were higher on Toffahi trees grown between Sennara trees than on Toffahi trees grown between Shamy ones. In 2004, in the plot where Toffahi and Sennara were grown together, JM females laid more eggs than in the olive plot where Toffahi rows alternated with Shamy rows. The results suggest that the Shamy variety discouraged gravid females from ovipositing, compared with Toffahi or Sennara varieties. In conclusion, olive variety, cropping system (mixed culture) and trapping season are among those characteristics that affect this pest.

Estimativa do risco de traça-verde Palpita vitrealis (Rossi) amplificada por contaminante ?

Jasmine moth population was monitored in olive groves in Cova da Beira, using traps baited with three commercial formulations of pheromone: Russell (in tricoloured funnel traps), SEDQ and Suterra (both in delta traps). Counts were carried out weekly from March to November 2010 for SEDQ’s pheromone and from September to November for Russell’s and Suterra´s pheromones. The scouts ranged among 0 and 4 insects/trap/week. A contaminant Lepidoptera species, not yet identified, was captured in the SEDQ traps. They were smaller, brownish and they were captured largely than the jasmine moth. Comparing these flight curves to the ones obtained from Castelo Branco, Ribatejo and Alentejo Stations (official Advisory Services), regions where this pest was monitored using the same methodology, a great disparity in the number of individuals captured was observed, which raises the possibility of the contamination found here may also occur in some of these regions.

Impacto da Traça-Verde Palpita vitrealis (Rossi) em diferentes cultivares de oliveirana Cova da Beira

The attacks of jasmine moth were monitored in three olive cultivars, ‘Arbequina’, ‘Cobrancosa’ and ‘Galega Vulgar’,in a five years old olive grove and also in a plot of‘Galega Vulgar’ one year old near Belmonte. The observations were carried out in 2000, from April 5 to November 7 and the first symptoms were observed on July 7. ‘Cobrancosa’ was significantly less attacked throughout the observation period and no significant differences were detected between the remaining. In order to explain thesedifferences, leaf thickness of the different cultivars were compared by histological cuts but no differences were detected. No other differences regarding the presence and abundance of trichomes were found.

Determination of the Life Cycle of the Olive Fruit Leaf Moth,Palpita unionalis (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) in the Laboratory

Palpita unionalis (Hübner), the olive leaf moth, is one of the most important pests of olive nurseries and olive orchards in Turkey and also in the Mediterrean Basin generally. In this study, P. unionalis was reared at 24 ± 1 °C, 65% RH and 16:8 h L:D in the laboratory on leaves of its natural olive host plant, Oleae europeae cv. ‘Ayvalık’. Eggs were laid individually or in clusters on the underside of the olive leaves, but at random in the adult cages. There were 6 instars based on molts and head capsule measurements. Larval development was completed in an average of 23.35 ± 2.13 d and the survival rate was 60%. Adult longevity averaged 16.0 ± 1.57 d for females and 16.3 ± 1.21 d for males. The mean fecundity was 352 ± 42.9. Developmental period of immature stages, adults' life span, fecundity and sex ratios were determined in the laboratory.

Isolation of entomopathogenic Bacillus from a biodynamic olive farm and their pathogenicity to lepidopteran and coleopteran insect pests

The occurrence of Bacillus entomopathogenic bacteria on a Tunisian biodynamic farm was determined by examining 75 samples from olive tree ( Olea europaea L.) habitats. A total of 40 Bacillus isolates were characterized according to their phenotypic, physiological and biochemical parameters. Isolates of the species Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus mycoides, Brevibacillus brevis, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus sp. (1), Bacillus sp. (2) and a standard strain Btk HD-1 were used separately in feeding bioassays on fresh artificial diet against larvae of lepidopterans Prays oleae (Bernard) and Palpita unionalis (Hübner) and coleopterans Hylesinus oleiperda (F.) and Phloeotribus scarabaeoides (Bernard), which are olive tree pests. Larvae were successfully reared on an artificial diet with 25 g powdered olive tree leaves. Compared to the control data, only Btk and the isolates of B. licheniformis, P. polymyxa and B. brevis were entomopathogenic. Larval mortality assessed 7 days post-treatment showed high mortality rates with Btk to lepidopteran larvae (86.6% for P. oleae and 80.9% for P. unionalis) and low mortality against coleopteran pests. B. brevis isolates showed high mortality rates against P. oleae (up to 67.9%). B. licheniformis isolates caused up to 59.2% larval mortality for P. oleae and 43.6% for P. unionalis. Highest coleopteran mortality was achieved by P. polymyxa isolates (up to 55%). According to the 16S rDNA results, isolates of each of the three entomopathogenic strains were similar. Proteins in the strain supernatants were toxic to P. oleae larvae with LC50 values of 10.0 ( B. brevis), 12.5 ( B. licheniformis) and 37.6 μg/ml ( P. polymyxa). Also, P. polymyxa showed an LC50 of 12.4 mg/l against P. scarabaeoides. Our results suggest that entomopathogenic Bacillus present locally in the biodynamic farm could be used in biological control programmes of olive tree pests.

Seasonality in the occurrence of two lepidopterous olive pests in Egypt

Abstract Prays oleae Bern, (OM) and Palpita unionalis Hüb., (JM) are two of the most important pests in olive groves in Egypt. A 3‐year monitoring study using sex pheromone traps in semi‐arid and arid olive groves was performed. In the semi‐arid grove, flight pattern of the OM was the same as in other Mediterranean countries, but in dates concordating plant phenology. The moth completes three generations annually: the first flight is in March to April, the second is in May to June and the third occurs in August to October. In the arid olive grove, an interesting flight pattern was observed. First flight was always very close or overlapped with the second one with no male catches during August to October. However, eggs were present most of the season, indicating unusually high female presence and oviposition activity of the OM during the absence of males in the traps. Generally, moth densities were significantly lower in low fruiting years than in higher ones and were also lower in the arid olive grove than in the semi‐arid one. In contrast, JM males were present all season, exhibiting six to seven and three to four overlapping flight peaks in arid and semi‐arid olive groves, respectively. Moth densities were significantly higher in the arid olive grove than those in the semi‐arid one. This study shows that trapping location and fruit bearing year are characteristics that strongly affect the grove‐specific information needed to estimate correctly adult emergence and thus the timing of control measures.

Kairomonal effect of sex pheromone components of two lepidopteran olive pests on Trichogramma wasps

AbstractEgg parasitoids are known to use a wide range of chemicals, emitted by plants, host eggs or adults, for host selection. The effect of the sex pheromone components of the lepidopteran olive pests Prays oleae (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) and Palpita unionalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was studied under laboratory conditions, on the foraging behaviour of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma oleae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). The response of T. oleae wasps to (Z)‐7‐tetradecenal and (E)‐11‐hexadecenal, major sex pheromone components of P. oleae and P. unionalis respectively, depended on the dose of the pheromone used in a Y‐tube olfactometer bioassay. (E)‐11‐hexadecenal elicited maximum attraction (70%) at a dose of 1 μg, while a dose of 100 μg (Z)‐7‐tetradecenal attracted 80% of the tested wasps. (E)‐11‐hexadecenyl acetate, the second sex pheromone component of P. unionalis, and the binary blend of (E)‐11‐hexadecenyl acetate: (E)‐11‐hexadecenal (7:3) were not attractive at these doses. The results of this research are discussed in view that they may be considered as alternatives in the biological control of these pests.

A survey of fruit-feeding insects and their parasitoids occurring on wild olives, Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Fruits of wild olives, Olea europaea ssp. cuspidata (Wall. ex G. Don) Cif., were collected in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, during 2003–2005 to quantify levels of fruit-infesting pests and their parasitoids. Two species of Tephritidae, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) and B. biguttula (Bezzi), were the most abundant insects recovered and were reared from most samples. Fruit infestation rates by the Bactrocera spp. were generally below 8% and over half of the infestations were under 1%. When parasitism occurred in samples with flies, levels ranged from 7 to 83%. Several species of opiine braconid wasps, Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti), Psyttalia lounsburyi (Silvestri), and Utetes africanus (Szépligeti) and one braconine wasp, Bracon celer Szépligeti, were reared from fruits containing B. oleae and/or B. biguttula. Chalcidoid parasitoids and seed wasps included seven species of Eurytomidae (Eurytoma oleae, Eurytoma sp., and Sycophila sp.), Ormyridae (Ormyrus sp.), Torymidae (Megastigmus sp.), and Eupelmidae (Eupelmus afer and E. spermophilus). One species of moth, Palpita unionalis (Hübner) (Crambidae), was recovered in very low numbers and without parasitoids. The survey results indicate that fruit flies might not become economic pests of the nascent commercial olive industry in the Eastern Cape, and the small numbers present may be controlled to a considerable level by natural enemies.