Controllo eco-sostenibile della mosca dell olivo: recenti acquisizioni

Bactrocera oleae is still considered the key pest of olive cultivation, mainly in costal and insular areas, and in the organic farming. In the last 20 years, there have been many attempts of biological control of this pest by mass introduction of insect parasitoids (e. g. Pyittalia (=Opius) concolor) but the results are far from being considered satisfactory. However, these "failures" did not stop the collection and the characterization of the numerous antagonists of the olive fruit fly. At the moment the best perspectives of sustainable control are represented by the use of attractive baits associated to bio-insecticides. Recently, one of these compounds, derived from a bacterium, has been registered against B. oleae and its use is allowed by the regional protocols of organic farming. The main positive feature of this compound is the selectivity of application, with reduced effects on natural antagonists. Preliminary results about the use of symbiotic bacteria of the fly are promising but still in their infancy. The correct monitoring and the time/method of olive harvesting still deeply affect the successful control of the olive fruit-fly.