Olive fruit fly alert: guidance issued for olive growers

Delays in the start of the official olive fruit fly control programme are forcing producers to take action to protect their crops. The risk of olive fruit fly infestation in Corfu’s olive groves is increasing, as weather conditions and the current stage of fruit development are favourable for its spread. Corfu Directorate of Agricultural Economy is informing producers that the official bait spraying programme has been delayed due to pending contractor agreements, and is recommending regular inspections of olive groves, as well as independent interventions if infestation is detected.

Announcement:

Following on-site inspections carried out in various areas of Corfu’s olive-growing region, Corfu Directorate of Agricultural Economy highlights to olive producers that:

• The olives are currently at a stage where they are susceptible to infestation by the olive fruit fly, due to their size and the hardening of the olive stone.
• There is a high likelihood of significant olive fruit fly populations, particularly in areas where olives remained on the trees until spring.
• Microclimates favourable to the development of the olive fruit fly (mainly in coastal areas and cooler locations) assist in the laying and hatching of olive fruit fly eggs on the fruit.

Regarding the implementation of the Olive Fruit Fly Control Programme, and specifically the application of bait spraying, according to the information available to our service, these operations will not take place in the immediate future until the contractors are selected and the relevant agreements are signed.

Taking the above into consideration, olive growers whose groves are located in coastal areas and in locations with microclimates favourable to the development of the olive fruit fly (cooler areas), regardless of whether their area is covered by the Olive Fruit Fly Control Programme (the start of which will take place once the project contract has been finalised), should inspect their olives at regular intervals.

If viable insect punctures are detected (live larvae), producers should consider carrying out a cover spray or bait spray using their own resources, in consultation with an agronomist.

A reminder that, when selecting and applying any treatment product, the instructions on its label must be followed strictly, and under no circumstances should they be deviated from.

For any further information or clarification, interested olive producers may contact the Corfu Directorate of Agricultural Economy at 26613 64711.

ELENI KORONAKI