The Seasonal Flight Activity of the Olive Fruit Fly Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the Central Highlands of West-Bank, Palestine.

Abstract

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most important fruit trees in Palestine. The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most dangerous insect pest that affects olive trees in the Mediterranean region including Palestine. This study was conducted in Bethlehem during 2011-2012 to monitor the seasonal flight activity of B. oleae using sticky traps on two olive cultivars (Nabali and Baladi) in Bethlehem Governorate. The obtained data of trapped flies indicated that the flight activity of B. oleae started in early July in Hindaza site and continued until the end of November with three peaks. The first peak was recorded in August-September, the second was in October and the third one was in the mid November. Indeed, it was observed that the flight activity of the insect was affected mainly by temperature as well as humidity and reflected on the beginning of the flight activity as well as the insect generations. On the other hand, the obtained data confirmed that, throughout the season, the sticky yellow traps were more effecient in capturing B. oleae than the green sticky traps. However, red and blue traps rarely captured olive fruit flies.