Biological control of Bactocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) using a Greek Bacillus thuringiensis isolate

Bacillus thuringiensis, isolate 114A, was used in toxicity experiments against the wild population of the olive pest Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin). In laboratory experiments, spores and crystals of the B.t. were delivered to the insects with the food. Longevity, oviposition period, number of eggs produced, and percent hatch were recorded. Olive fruits from the oviposition test were dipped into a suspension containing spores and crystals of B. thuringiensis 114A. after the eggs were deposited. In field experiments, four to six sprayings per year of B.t. 114A isolate were applied for three successive years. It was found that, in addition to the longevity of B, oleae, the oviposition period, number of eggs and percent egg hatch decreased. Also, the percentage of pupation and emergence was reduced when olive fruits with eggs in their mesocarp were dipped in the solution of spores and crystals. Field applications with the toxins of 114A. isolate of B. thuringiensis have resulted in significant protection of the olive production.