Population Activity and Control of the Olive Fruit Fly in Olive Orchards using Food Attractants and Pheromone Traps in Arid Region (Algeria)

H Mimeche; A Laabassi; S Chafaa; F Mimeche

doi:10.56093/aaz.v65i1.172052

Authors

H Mimeche Department of Ecology and Environment, University of Batna 2, Batna 05078, Algeria https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6113-5816
A Laabassi Department of Ecology and Environment, University of Batna 2, Batna 05078, Algeria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4722-7782
S Chafaa Department of Ecology and Environment, University of Batna 2, Batna 05078, Algeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9861-0768
F Mimeche Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of M’Sila,M’Sila 28000, Algeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9135-6760

https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.v65i1.172052

Keywords:

Bactrocera oleae, McPhail-type traps, pheromone, food attractants, infestation, control, arid region

Abstract

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, is one of the most destructive pests of olive orchards worldwide, causing substantial economic losses through reduced yield and fruit quality. Effective management of this pest remains a major concern for olive growers due to its high reproductive potential and rapid population buildup under favorable conditions.The present study was carried out in three orchards located in the arid region of M’Sila, Northeast Algeria, from August to December 2023. The objectives were to monitor population dynamics, assess infestation levels, and evaluate control strategies against the olive fruit fly. Adult activity was monitored using McPhail traps baited with food attractants (3% aqueous diammonium phosphate and 3% aqueous ammonium bicarbonate solutions). Pheromone traps were simultaneously deployed for comparative assessment of trapping efficiency. The first adults emerged at the end of August, and the pest continued to emergeuntil the end of December. The first population development peakwas observed in mid-October in all three orchards.Three generations of B. oleae appeared in the M’Sila area. The infestation rates of the pest were38.5% (at Ouled Mansour) and 31.5% (at District Ksob and Ouled Sidi Amor). The McPhail traps (+ 3% ammonium bicarbonate) caught more flies than the McPhail traps (+ 3% diammonium phosphate) and Pheromone traps (Lure - Russell IPM). At every orchard olive site, were observed significant interactions between the week and the trap were observed for the total, male, and female flies. The activity of the fruit flies depended on environmental conditions. Traps baited with ammonium bicarbonate attracted more females.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abd El-Salaam, A.M.E., Salem, S.A., El-Kholy, M.Y., Abdel-Rahman, R.S. and Abdel-Raheem, M.A. 2019. Role of the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) traps in integrated pest management on olive trees under climatic change conditions in Egypt. Plant Archives 19(2): 457-461.

Abdesselam, S., Halitim, A., Jan A., Trolard, F. and Bourrié, G. 2013. Anthropogenic contamination of groundwater with nitrate in arid region: case study of southern Hodna (Algeria). Environmental Earth Sciences 70(5): 2129-2141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-012-1834-5

Ashraf, U., Chaudhry, M. and Peterson, A. 2021. Ecological niche models of biotic interactions predict increasing pest risk to olive cultivars with changing climate. Ecosphere 12(8): e03714. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3714

Bali, E.M.D., Rodovitis, V.G., Verykouki, E., Terblanche, J.S., Carey, J.R. and Papadopoulos, N.T. 2025. Factors affecting detection and trapping efficacy of Mediterranean fruit flies. Pest Management Science 81: 3548-3556. https:// doi.org/10.1002/ps.8723

Bourakna, Z., Righi, K., Assia, F. and Elouissi, A. 2022. Flight activity of Bactrocera oleae (Rossi, 1790) (Diptera: Tephritidae) infesting two Algerian olive varieties in north-west Algeria. Acta agriculturaeSlovenica 118(3): 1-8. https://doi. org/10.14720/aas.2022.118.3.2599

Burrack, H.J., Bingham, R., Price, R., Connell, J.H., Phillips, P.P., Wunderlich, L., Vossen, P.M., O’Connell, N.V., Ferguson, L. and Zalom, F.G. 2011. Understanding the seasonal and reproductive biology of olive fruit fly is critical to its management. California Agriculture 65(1): 14-20. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.v065n01p14

Canale, A., Benelli, G., Germinara, G., Fusini, G., Romano, D., Rapalini, F., Desneux, N., Rotundo, G., Raspi, A. And Carpita, A. 2014. Behavioral and electrophysiological responses to overlooked female pheromone components in the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae). Chemoecology 25: 147 - 157. https:// doi.org/10.1007/s00049-014-0183-0

Daane, K.M. and Johnson, M.W. 2010.Olive fruit fly: Managing an ancient pest in modern times. Annual Review of Entomology 55(1): 151-169. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev. ento.54.110807.090553

Diller, Y., Shamsian, A., Shaked, B., Altman, Y., Danziger, B.C., Manrakhan, A. and Nestel, D. 2023. A real-time remote surveillance system for fruit flies of economic importance: sensitivity and image analysis. Journal of Pest Science 96(2): 611-622. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-022- 01528-x

Economopoulos, A.P., Haniotakis, G.E., Michelakis, S., Tsiropoulos, G.J., Zerva, G.A., Tsitsipis, J.A., Manoukas, A.G., Kiritsakis, A. and Kinigakis, P. 1982. Population studies on the olive fruit fly, Dacus oleae (Gmel.) (Dipt.,Tephritidae) in Western Crete. Zeitschrift für AngewandteEntomologie 93(1-5): 463-476. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.1982. tb03621.x

El Haidani, A., Khila, A., Houari, A., Haggoud, A., Vincent, A. and Ibnsouda, K.S. 2004. Study of the olive fruits infestation by Bactrocera oleae in the area of Fez in Morocco and their fertility in the laboratory. Moroccan Journal of Biology 1: 21- 31.

Germinara, G.S., Pistillo, O., D’Isita, I., Di Palma, A., Rotundo, G., Guidotti, M., Psaro, R., Caselli, A., Econdi, S., Gargani, E., Cutino, I., Benvenuti, C. and Roversi, P. 2024. Inhibitory activity of some short-chain aliphatic aldehydes on pheromone and ammonium carbonate-mediated attraction in olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae. Pest Management Science 80(10): 5353-5363. https://doi. org/10.1002/ps.8264

Gianessi, L. and Williams, A. 2011. Without insecticide sprays, damage from insect feeding would lower the quality of European olive oil. Crop Protection Research Institute. International Pesticide Benefits Case Study, No. 37. Available from: https://croplife.org/wp-content/ uploads/2014/05/Without-Insecticide-Sprays- Damage-from-Insect-Feeding-Would-Lower-the- Quality-of-European-Olive-Oil.pdf

Giunti, G., Campolo, O., Laudani, F., Algeri, G. and Palmeri, V. 2020. Olive fruit volatiles route intraspecific interactions and chemotaxis in Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) females. Scientific Reports 10: 1666. https://doi. org/10.1038/s41598-020-58379-8

Gonçalves, M.F., Malheiro, R., Casal, S., Torres, L. and Pereira, J.A. 2012. Influence of fruit traits on oviposition preference of the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), on three Portuguese olive varieties (Cobrancosa, Madural and VerdealTransmontana). Scientia Horticulturae 145: 127-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. scienta.2012.08.002

Gonçalves, F. and Torres, L. 2013. The use of trap captures to forecast infestation by the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in traditional olive groves in north-eastern Portugal. International Journal of Pest Management 59(4): 279-286. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874 .2013.851428

Hamdan, A. 2016. Bionomics of olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) [Diptera: Tephritidae] infesting ten olive cultivars in the Southern Highlands of West-Bank, Palestine.International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research, 27:194-203.

Katsikogiannis, G., Kavroudakis, D., Tscheulin, T. Kizos, T. 2023. Population dynamics of the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae), are influenced by different climates, seasons, and pest management. Sustainability 5(19): 14466. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914466

Katsoyannos, B. and Kouloussis, N. 2001. Captures of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae on spheres of different colours. Entomologia Experimentalis

et Applicata 100(2): 165-172. https://doi. org/10.1046/j.1570-7458.2001.00860.x

Kirse, A., Wittenhorst, M., Scherber, C., Posanski, M., Scherges, A., Zizka, V., Ott, D., Noll, N. and Wägele, W. 2025. The clockwork of insect activity: Advancing ecological understanding through automation. The Journal of Animal Ecology 94: 597-610. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365- 2656.14246

Koufakis, I., Kalaitzaki, A., Broufas, G., Tsagkarakis, A. and Pappas, M. 2025. Mealworm Frass as a Novel Insect Food-Based Attractant: The Case of Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae). Insects 16(5): 466. https://doi.org/10.3390/ insects16050466

López, S., Acín, P., Gómez-Zubiaur, A., Corbella- Martorell, C. and Quero, C. 2023. A shift in the paradigm? A male-specific lactone increases the response of both sexes of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae to the food lure ammonium bicarbonate. Journal of Pest Science 97(2): 965-978. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-023-01659-9

Marchini, D., Petacchi, R. and Marchi, S. 2017. Bactrocera oleae reproductive biology: new evidence on wintering wild populations in olive groves of Tuscany (Italy). Bulletin of Insectology 70(1): 121-128.

Martínez, E., Miranda, M.A., Monerris, M. and Alemany, A. 2007. Comparative field studies of various traps and attractants for the Olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae in the Balearic Islands. Development of Improved Attractants and Their Integration into Fruit Fly SIT Management Programmes.

Mimeche, F., Zedam, A., Chafaa, S., Mimeche, H. and Biche, M. 2018. Seasonal study of the diet of the barbel Luciobarbus callensis (Valencienne1842) in the K’sob reservoir (M’Sila, Algeria). Revue des sciences de l’Eau/Journal of Water Science 31(2): 163-171. https://doi.org/10.7202/1051698ar

Mimeche, H., Chafaa, S. and Laabassi, A. 2024. Diversity of arthropods subservient to olive groves in arid region (Northeastern Algeria). Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia 69(1):155-170. https://doi.org/10.24193/ subbbiol.2024.1.08

Mohammadipour, A., Gharekhani, G.H., Aghdam, H.R. and Keyhanian, A.A. 2023. Population fluctuation of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Dip.: Tephritidae) in the Tarom Sofla region, Iran. Journal of Entomological Society of Iran 42(4): 331-344. https://doi.org/10.52547/ jesi.42.1.8

Moreno-Alcaide, F., Quesada-Moraga, E., Valverde- García, P. and Yousef-Yousef, M. 2025. Optimizing decision-making potential, cost, and environmental impact of traps for monitoring olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 118: 219-228. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae296

Nehmeh, G., Al-Samara, M. and Faskha, S. 2025. Using cumulative degree-days model for prediction of olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae generations as an important Element in the IPM program in Tartus, Syria. Arab Journal of Plant Protection 43(1): 17-24. https://doi.org/10.22268/ AJPP-001292

Noce, M.E., Belfiore, T., Scalercio, S., Vizzarr, V. and Iannotta, N. 2009. Efficacy of new mass-trapping devices against Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: tephritidae) for minimizing pesticide input in agroecosystems. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B 44(5): 442-448. https://doi. org/10.1080/03601230902935105

Noori, H. and Shirazi, J. 2012. A study on the population sampling of olive fruit fly adult, Bactrocera oleae Gmelin (Diptera: Tephritidae), using McPhail traps in TaromSofla Region (Iran). VII International Symposium on Olive Growing 1057: 293-300.

Ortega, M., Moreno, N., Fernández, C.E. and Pascual, S. 2021. Olive landscape affects Bactrocera oleae abundance, movement and infestation. Agronomy 12(1): 4. https://doi. org/10.3390/agronomy12010004

Paparatti, B. 1991. Dacus oleae (Gmel.) (Diptera: Tephritidae): adult population dynamics, sex ratio and analysis of drupe infestation in the three-year period 1988-90, in a «Canino» cultivar olive grove in the viterbo province. Frustula Entomologica 14: 55-69.

Rondoni, G., Mattioli, E., Giannuzzi, V., Chierici, E., Betti, A., Natale, G., Petacchi, R., Famiani, F., Natale, A. and Conti, E. 2024. Evaluation of the effect of agroclimatic variables on the probability and timing of olive fruit fly attack. Frontiers in Plant Science 15: 1401669. https://doi. org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1401669

Sciarretta, A., Travaglini, T., Kfoury, L., Ksentini, I., Yousef-Yousef, M., Sotiras, M., Bitar, A., Ksantini, M., Quesada-Moraga, E. and Perdikis, D. 2024. Comparison of different trapping devices for the capture of Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) and other non-target insects in the Mediterranean basin. Journal of Entomological and Acarological Research 56:12302. https://doi.org/10.4081/jear.2024.12302

Sciarretta, A., Perdikis, D., Kfoury, L., Travaglini, T., Sotiras, M.I., Alcaide, F.M. and Tsiligiridis, T.A. 2025. Spatial dynamics of olive fruit Fly adults in the framework of a monitoring trap network. Applied Sciences 15(11): 6285. https:// doi.org/10.3390/app15116285

Shelly, T. and Cloonan, K. 2023. Male lures and the detection of Tephritidfruit flies: Assessing the relationships between lure amount and release rate and trap captures of invasive pest species. Crop Protection 176: 106504. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.cropro.2023.106504

Therios, I.N. 2009. Olives (Vol. 18). Edition. CABI, Oxfordshire.

Tzanakakis, M.E. 2003. Seasonal development and dormancy of insects and mites feeding on olive: a review. Netherlands Journal of Zoology 52(2-4): 87-224. https://doi. org/10.1163/156854203764817670

Varikou, K., Alexandrakis, V., Gika, V., Birouraki, A., Marnelakis, C. and Sergentani, C .2013. Estimation of fly population density of Bactrocera oleae in olive groves of Crete. Phytoparasitica 41(1): 105-111. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600- 012-0270-0

Varikou, K., Garantonakis, N. and Birouraki, A. 2014. Comparative field studies of Bactrocera oleae baits in olive orchards in Crete. Crop Protection 65: 238- 243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2014.08.005

Vasconcelos, S., Jonsson, M., Heleno, R., Moreira, F. and Beja, P. 2022. A meta-analysis of biocontrol potential and herbivore pressure in olive crops: Does integrated pest management make a difference? Basic and Applied Ecology 63: 115-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2022.05.009

Volakakis, N.G., Eyre, M.D. and Kabourakis, E.M. 2012. Olive fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera, Tephritidae) activity and fruit infestation under mass trapping in an organic table olive orchard in Crete, Greece. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 36(6): 683-698. https://doi.org/10.1080/10440046 .2012.672377

Wakil, W., Kavallieratos, N.G., Eleftheriadou, N., Ghazanfar, M.U., El-Shafie, H.A., Blankson, A., ... and Harvey, J.A. 2025. Climate change consequences for insect pest management, sustainable agriculture and food security. Entomologia Generalis 45(1): 37-51. https://doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/2024/2774

Yasin, S., Rempoulakis, P., Nemny-Lavy, E., Levi- Zada, A., Tsukada, M., Papadopoulos, N.T. and Nestel, D. 2014. Assessment of lure and kill and mass-trapping methods against the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), in desert-like environments in the Eastern Mediterranean. Crop Protection 57: 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. cropro.2013.12.020

Živković, I., Čirjak, D., Hojsak, L., Vrček, B., Suazo, M., Benítez, H. and Lemić, D. 2025. Assessing cultivar-specific susceptibility and morphological adaptations of Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) in olive orchards. Journal of Insect Science 25(1):13. https://doi.org/10.1093/ jisesa/ieaf005