Reduction of olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi, 1790), damage by selecting native and exotic olive cultivars

Abstract

Olive fly is the most dangerous pest in olive groves worldwide. Therefore the study of the most susceptible and resistant cultivars to olive fly can bring new information to diminish the olive flies harmful impacts. The main goal of the present study is to verify the olfactory response of olive fly to olive volatiles from five native Iranian cultivars (Fishomi, Mari, Rowghani, Shengeh, and Zard) and four exotic cultivars (Arbequina, Coratina, Koroneiki, and Manzanilla). Olfactometer bioassays were carried out in order to verify the attraction level of the volatiles of different cultivars to olive flies. A second experiment was performed with native cultivars in order to verify the preference between healthy olives and olives already infested by olive fly. The obtained results demonstrated that among native cultivars, Fishomi and Zard were those attracting higher number of olive flies, while cv. Rowghani showed to be the less preferred one. The exotic olive cultivars, Arbequina and Manzanilla attracted higher number of olive flies, while the volatiles of cv. Koroneiki showed a low attraction effect. According to the results of this study we suggest setting new strategies in cultivation of olives by spreading those cultivars less attractive to olive fly