Copper and kaolin sprays as tools for controlling the olive fruit fly

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is the most damaging pest of crop in main growing areas. control this based on insecticides, but more sustainable strategies are needed to reduce negative impacts such as pesticide residues, development insecticide resistance or effects non-target organisms. In a three-year field study, effectiveness preventive kaolin and copper (Bordeaux mixture) applications were evaluated. Natural groves very valuable must be preserved, so these treatments arthropods also investigated compared conventional dimethoate bait sprays paying special attention natural enemies. Kaolin reduced damage B. levels that allow high quality oil production, even with incidence. Copper provided certain protection was insufficient at infestation levels. No significant changes abundance number arthropod morphospecies detected. However, diversity arthropods, measured by Shannon index, baits fewer predators found treated trees. A alteration enemies’ community detected Principal Response Curve (PRC) analysis plots sprayed kaolin, second year, coccinellid beetle Scymnus marinus (Mulsant) particularly affected. Monitoring long-term enemies advisable, while environmentally-friendly measures applied favor their presence.