There are different pests and diseases that an olive plantation must deal with. Some of these pests can be treated by applying chemicals, but it is also possible to do without chemical methods to combat them. In this case, the principle of prevention of pests and diseases is the best and this consists of the plant developing in its ideal conditions and with adequate care.
In this Green Ecologist article, we will reveal what they are olive tree pests and their natural treatment.
Most common pests of the olive tree and their natural treatment
In summary, the pests that cause further damage to olive trees and, therefore, greater economic losses to its farmers are:
- Olive fly (Bactrocera oleae)
- Olive tree moth or Prays (Prays oleae)
- Olive wood scale (Saissetia oleae)
- Olive leaf
- Soapy olive or anthractosis
- Olive tree verticillosis (Verticillium dahliae)
- Olive tree tuberculosis
- Xylella fastidiosa
Olive fly (Bactrocera oleae)
It is one of the pests that generates the greatest problems in olive groves and is associated with the loss of quality of olive oil. In the first place, this fly carries out the laying of eggs under the skin of the olive. Once the larvae emerges, it feeds on the pulp and, lastly, the pupa is formed and metamorphosis takes place, emerging the fly, which comes out breaking the olive skin and leaving characteristic holes in the fruit. The insect only attacks the fruit, causing it to lose weight and fall. In addition, the wounds in the olive can be invaded by fungi and bacteria, also losing quality in the olive oil or even directly the use or consumption of these olives.
Fighting this pest naturally is difficult, but here are some tips from prevention and natural treatment for the olive fly:
- One method is to anticipate the olive harvest.
- Place diammonium phosphate traps, which consists of making a 3% diammonium phosphate preparation in a bottle and hanging them from the olive tree crown.
- Use synthetic preparations of fly sex hormone, Spiroacetate, or the insecticide Spinosad, whose active principle is obtained from the natural fermentation of a bacterium.
Olive tree moth or Prays (Prays oleae)
This insect has three types of generations. One that feeds on the leaves of the olive tree (filófaga), another on the flowers (anthrophagous) and the last, on the fruits (carpófaga). Depending on the type of generation, the damage to the plant varies. The philosophical generation generates losses, especially in olive trees in formation, with alterations in their development. The damages of the anthrophagous generation depend on the flowering and those of the carpophagous generation, are the most important, since they damage the fruit and cause its fall.
At natural treatment for olive tree moth are included:
- Use natural enemies like Chrysoperla carnea, which is a predator that feeds on its eggs, larvae and pupae.
- Use toxin from Bacillus thurigiensis (Bt), especially during infection by the antóphaga generation.
Olive wood scale (Saissetia oleae)
It is the third most important pest, economically speaking, that affects the olive cultivation. It is an infection produced only by the females of this species of mealybug and which, in addition, is parthenogenic, so it does not require fertilization to have offspring. In fact, the presence of males in Europe has not been identified.
The olive woodlice they suck the sap from the tree and weaken it. They also produce sugary compounds like molasses, which favors the development of fungi like bold. These fungi develop by covering branches and leaves of the olive tree, making photosynthesis difficult.
The natural treatments against olive wood scale include:
- Carry out a pruning that facilitates the correct aeration of the tree's crown because it hinders the development of the pest.
- The biological fight with Metaphycus barletti.
- The use of natural insecticides made with mineral oil.
Other pests of the olive tree
Although the above three pests are the ones that most frequently affect the olive tree and cause greater economic losses, there are others that also affect the cultivation of the olive tree less frequently. Between these other pests of the olive tree is it so:
- Olive leaf: This pest is caused by a fungus and affects the productivity of the olive tree. It is more common in rainy climates and sensitive varieties and is treated with copper.
- Soapy olive or anthractosis: caused by infection by toxin-producing fungi that dry out branches.
- Olive tree verticillosis (Verticillium dahliae): produced by a soil fungus. It is difficult to treat, so resistant varieties are used.
- Olive tree tuberculosis: bacterial infection that weakens the tree.
- Xylella fastidiosa: caused by a bacteria that wreaks havoc. Currently, there are varieties of olive trees tolerant to this condition.
To finish, we recommend reading this other article by Green Ecologist on How to combat pests in organic farming.
If you want to read more articles similar to Olive tree pests and their natural treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Cultivation and care of plants.
