Study of the Population Dynamics of the Olive Fly, Bactrocera oleae Rossi. (Diptera, Tephritidae) in the Region of Essaouira

Abstract

The Bactrocera oleae Rossi fly is the most important olive pest. It is of major economic importance in the olive production area of Essaouira, where weather conditions are optimal for the conduct of the various stages of its life cycle. The lack of phytosanitary treatments worsens this situation. The development of the larval stages and different generations are related to the phenological stages of the olive and are controlled by changes in habitat conditions. Trapping of adult males by Deltas traps baited with sex pheromone, at the four study sites, has identified some characteristics of the evolution of the adult populations’ flight dynamics. Our main results show a decreasing gradient of early emergences of different stages from the coast to the continental areas as well as the absence of the summer generation at the inner station. Soil analysis in the two stations showed that the hypogenous pupae wintering in the soil survive until June. Knowledge of the factors involved in the bio-ecology of the olive fly and the phenology of the host allows the elaboration of monitoring/ warning calendars, and phytosanitary measures in order to establish an IPM program adapted to the requirements of olive orchards in the region.