Abstract

Dasineura oleae is a gall midge on leaves and branches of olive trees. Due to the scarcity of information regarding to the infestation and phenology of D. oleae on olive trees, the objectives of this research were: (1) to study the pest status of D. oleae and its damage on olive trees, (2) to describe the life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult, (3) to determine the life cycle duration and number of generations per year and (4) to describe the egg laying, larval development, pupation and adult emergence. Results indicated that there was an outbreak of D. oleae in the Palestinian Territories where the average rate of infestation on olive trees was 51.46% and the damage caused by the insect on leaves, branches and inflorescence of infested trees reached at an average infestation rate of 35.88, 22.70 and 26.54%, respectively. Eggs of D. oleae were laid on the lower leaf surface, and the hatched larvae penetrated the tissues underneath and induced galls in which they live and develop until the emergence of adults. D. oleae developed one generation per year in the hilly regions of Palestinian Territories and two generations in the coastal regions of these territories. A full description of the life stages has been provided for the insect. In conclusion, this study provides with new information regarding to the pest status of D. oleae, infestation and development of the insect on the different organs of olive trees. These findings are necessary for the insect

management and its control.

Keywords Olive leaf gall midge, Olea europaea, Life cycle duration, Egg laying, Pupation, Adult emergence

Title

Yacoub Batta

Publisher

Springer

Publisher Country

Palestine

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

Impact Factor

0.946

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

126

Year

2019

Pages

55-66