Olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis (Hübn.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) population fluctuation in olive orchards and damage rate on fruits in the eastern Mediterranean region.

This study was carried out to determine adult and larva population fluctations of Palpita unionalis (Hubn.) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) on olive orchards in Adana, Hatay, Mersin and Osmaniye provinces in the eastern Mediterranean region between the years 2009-2010. Additionally, P. unionalis damage rate on olive fruit was determined in these orchards. P. unionalis adults were monitored by using sexual pheromone capsule [(E)-11-Hexadecenal and (E)-11-hexadecen-1-yl acetate)] and white funnel traps. Larvae were monitored by investigating 100 shoots from each orchard. Although number of P. unionalis adults caught in the traps were low, larva and eggs were found in high numbers and continued throughout the year in these olive orchards. P. unionalis larvae population was determined to reach the highest peaks on 5th, 7th and 11th months in monitored orchards. This pest was reached 4-6 peaks and found with its whole stages on olive trees through the year in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. It was observed that shoot development and climatic factors (temperature and humidity) affected the larva population fluctuation. P. unionalis primarily damage was as succulent shoots and leaves of olive trees, meanwhile, the second generation larvae were also determined to feed on olive fruits and caused 0.3-2.8% crop loss. The damage of larvaeon olive fruitswas detected on the 1-1.5 month duration; from green middle sized fruit period to early ripening period.