Olive moth (Prays oleae (Bernard) is one of the most important insect pests of olive groves in the Mediterranean basin and so also in Spain, Andaluzia (Spain is the biggest olive oil producer in Europe). The second generation females lay eggs on the small fruits in early summer, and the emerging larvae bore within the olive fruit causing spectacular fruit drop in July and September. Various methods are used against the moth population but in most cases insecticides are applied. Taking into consideration the environmental and human feeding risks, the development of integrated or biological control methods would be necessary for the environmentally friendly or organic production of olives. According to some observations the common green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) sensu lato) may be an efficient predator of the olive moth caterpillars.
Dear Andras,
In Egypt we normally release Trichogramma spp to control the olive moths. It is very effective and gives very good level of control.
For more details, here you are some relevant publications:
Agamy 2012_J Pest Sci
Hegazi 2006_ Insect Sci
Best regards,
Islam
A fairly comprehensive view of insect pests (including olive moths) and cultivated as well as wild olives is given in
N. Mkize, Insect Pests of Cultivated and Wild Olives, and Some their Natural Enemies, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, Ph.D. thesis, 2008.
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