E.O. El-Ghadi1*, H.E. Abou Kraa1. A.A. El-Qitaa1, A.A. El-Ghadi2 and S.S. Ashour3
(1) National Project for the Integrated Control of the Fruit Fly, Libyan Center for Biotechnological Research, Tripoli, Libya; (2) National Center for Protection and Agricultural Quarantine, Tripoli, Libya; (3) National Center for Extension, Cooperation and Information.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
The effect of some climatic factors on the seasonal activity of the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae was studied in olive trees in the Qasr al-Akhyar region during the 2021-2022 season. Food traps baited with Torula yeast pellets were used to attract females and males of the olive fly. Results obtained showed that no insect presence was recorded during the months of September and October, while the population density reached its peak in mid-November with an average of 9.6 adults/trap. The findings further indicated an inverse correlation between insect population density and both temperature and humidity. The study also showed that food traps were more effective in attracting male olive flies than females, with average values of 38 and 29 individuals, respectively. The results obtained in this study can be used to improve the pest management strategy, and consequently improve both the yield and quality of olive fruits in the region.
Olive fruit fly, olive tree, Qasr Al-Akhyar, climatic factors, food traps, Libya.
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001491