Olive Production Threatened by a Resurgent Pest Liothrips oleae (Costa, 1857) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) in Southern Italy

Abstract

This study investigated a resurgence of Liothrips oleae Costa (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), an insect pest of olive crops, in a focal Southern Italian olive-producing area (Calabria Region). The young and adult olive thrips feed on the leaves and fruits of wild and cultivated olive trees, producing distortions, necrosis, and premature dropping of fruit. In our study, organic and integrated olive groves were compared for two years in order to establish the relationship between leaf and fruit damage among olive groves managed under different phytosanitary conditions. Sampling techniques were used in order to collect and count leaves and fruits (on plants and dropped premature drupes) presenting symptoms of thrips’ feeding activity. The impact of the thrips was significant in all orchards, and the estimated damage level on drupes and leaves was higher in organic olive management in each year. A morphological description of the adult females of the species is provided, and the first molecular characterization of the Calabrian olive thrips population was performed by using three different genetic regions (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 28S ribosomal subunit (28S), and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2)).

A Preliminary Survey of Olive Grove in Biskra (Southeast Algeria) Reveals a High Diversity of Thrips and New Records

“…Figure 1 shows some of the most common types of physical symptoms observed on olive fruits. Only two studies have been conducted on thrips attacks on olive trees, which were conducted by Marullo and Vono [ 11 ] and Vono et al [ 28 ] in Italy. The authors observed the same symptoms on olive fruits.…”

A Comprehensive Thrips Species Assessment for Eco-Consistent Management of Infestations in Mediterranean Citrus Crops

“…Each survey area had a range of 3 hectares, and thrips in flowers were counted on 10 plants randomly selected from the three citrus crops. Following the protocol used by Vono et al [55] and Marullo et al [56], from each plant, 40 flowers randomly distributed from the outskirts of the canopy were collected from the different sectors of sun exposure: northeast (NE); southeast (SE); southwest (SW); and northwest (NW). Morphological identification of the specimens was carried out using the identification keys of Mound and Kibby [57] and Marullo [16], and the mounting of adult specimens of both sexes on microscope slides was carried out following the method described by Mound and Marullo [58] and Marullo [16].…”

Problems with the Concept of “Pest” among the Diversity of Pestiferous Thrips

“…However, there seems to be no demonstration that this inhibits the growth of infested trees. Similar leaf damage is caused on persimmon trees (Diospyros kaki) in Japan by Ponticulothrips diospyrosi [17]; in southern Europe, Liothrips oleae is known to cause leaf distortions on olive trees [18]; several species of Liothrips are associated with similar damage to Piper vines, including commercial pepper crops, between southern India and northern Australia [19]. In South America, Holopothrips fulvus has been reported damaging the foliage of Cashew trees (Anacardium occidentale) [20], and Pseudophilothrips adisi is considered the key pest on cultivated Guarana (Paullinia cupana) [21].…”