Olive trees are an ancient symbol of our land and a precious resource that needs daily protection. One of the most insidious threats to olive cultivation is the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae), a pest that can severely compromise the quality and yield of extra virgin olive oil. That’s why acting early with effective, sustainable, and eco-friendly defense strategies is essential.
Aligned with our ethical agriculture vision, Agricola Piano adopts biological methods to protect the plants, such as using natural traps for selective insect capture—avoiding pesticides or harmful chemicals to preserve soil, plant, and consumer health.
Indice
What is the olive fruit fly
The olive fruit fly is one of the most dangerous pests for olive growers. It attacks olive fruits, lays eggs in the pulp, and as larvae develop they cause direct damage, degrading the fruit and compromising oil quality. These flies are most active during summer, favoring warm, humid environments. Their high reproductive capacity makes them one of Mediterranean olive cultivation’s main enemies, and controlling them is vital to ensure intact, defect-free EVOO.
Damage caused and natural remedies
Larvae dig tunnels in olive pulp, leading to rot, mold, and unwanted fermentation. This not only reduces yield, but also alters aroma, taste, and nutritional properties, making the oil unfit for consumption or sale. Severe infestations can devastate entire harvests, which is why timely, effective defense strategies are critical.
Alongside traditional pesticide use, more sustainable methods aligned with organic farming exist, such as:
Defense methods against the olive fruit fly
- Protein traps: attract flies using specific nutrients.
- Chromotropic (yellow) traps: exploit visual appeal of color.
- Kaolin: a mineral powder that forms a protective film on olive surfaces.
- Copper-based treatments: reinforce plant defenses, allowed in organic agriculture.
These preventive methods reduce ecosystem impact and offer a concrete, effective alternative to aggressive chemical treatments.
When to apply biological treatments
Effective control requires perfect timing. Monitoring should begin in late spring using traps to detect adult flies. Peak activity occurs in summer—especially July to September—when humidity and temperature favor larval development. During this period, it’s essential to apply kaolin sprays, install protein or yellow traps, and potentially use copper-based treatments. Preventive intervention protects trees and yields, reducing infestation without chemicals.
DIY olive fruit fly trap
You can make a simple homemade trap using two plastic water bottles, scissors, a cutter, and a protein bait like legumes. Follow the video below for easy step-by-step instructions.