Determination of some biological characteristics for controling of the olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis (Hubn.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) damages on olive in Eastern Mediterranean region

This study was carried out in olive orchards in the East Mediterranean Region in 2008-2010. In 2008 surveys, infection rate of Olive leaf moth Palpita unionalis (Hübn.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was determined the highest in Osmaniye (76 %) and the lowest in Kilis (16 %). The biology of the pest was studied in an olive orchard in Adana for two separate periods, from August to September and from September to December in 2009. The life cycle in the first period was 38,4 days at 28.2 C, 70.1 % R.H and in the second period 61.6 days at 18.4 C, 64.4 % R.H., The duration of adult stage was determined 6.17 ± 0.41 days in the first and 9.22 ± 0.60 days in the second periods. Also, the average number of eggs laid per female was 198 and 177. The female:male ratio was found about 1:1.Although P. unionalis primarily damaged succulent shoots and leaves of olive trees, especially the second generation larvae were determined to feed on olive fruits and caused 0.3-2.8 % crop loss. The pest was active and continued to develop throughout the year in olive orchards and mainly the 2nd and 3rd instar larvae were found in winter months. The larvae population reached to highest levels between May and July. It was conculuded that 4-6 generations occurred in a year. In this study, 9 parasitoits and 21 predators of P. unionalis were detected. Among these species Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) and ve Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens)were found the most important predators while Trichogramma evanescens Westw. and Apanteles brunnistigma Abdinbekova were the most important parasitoids.