Leaf consumption and oviposition of Palpita forficifera (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on different olive cultivars

Abstract

ABSTRACT The incidence of the olive caterpillar Palpita forficifera is among the main phytosanitary problems in olive groves in Brazil, and the use of resistant cultivars can be a useful tool to be incorporated into an integrated management strategy of this pest. The objective of this study was to evaluate the consumption and oviposition of P. forficifera on three olive cultivars in laboratory bioassays, in order to identify a potential antixenosis-type resistance. The cultivars evaluated were Arbequina, Arbosana and Koroneiki. Oviposition free choice tests were carried on young trees of the cultivars, with 7 days old adults. For consumption, detached leaves from the different cultivars were used in no choice and free choice tests with 5th instar larvae. The oviposition of P. forficifera was similar in all three cultivars. As for consumption, in no choice test, Arbequina had a higher dry mass consumed, yet, in free choice tests, no significant difference was observed in the fresh and dry mass consumed on the three cultivars. These results suggest that none of the cultivars expressed antixenosis-type resistance.

Keywords

• Olea europaea
• non-preference
• olive caterpillar
• integrated pest management
• host plant resistance