Journal of Applied Entomology (2011) 135, 359-366

M.L. Pappas, G.D. Broufas, N. Koufali, P. Pieri and D.S. Koveos (2011)
Effect of heat stress on survival and reproduction of the olive fruit fly Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae
Journal of Applied Entomology 135 (5), 359-366
Abstract: The olive fruit fly Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae Gmelin is a major olive pest in Greece and other Mediterranean countries. Its population density and respective olive infestation is usually low in many areas of northern Greece during summer months. To some extent, this may be due to the prevailing high temperature and low relative humidity conditions. In the present work the effects of short term exposure to high temperatures on the survival and egg production of B. oleae pre-imaginal stages and adults were studied under laboratory conditions. Different larval instars within infested green olive fruits, adults and pupae and were exposed for 2 h to a series of different high constant temperatures ranging from 34 to 42°C. Subsequently, survival percentages of pre-imaginal stages and adults as well as the number of eggs laid by females previously exposed to high temperatures were determined. At temperatures up to 38°C high survival percentages of larvae and adults were observed, whereas pupae displayed a relatively increased heat tolerance up to 40°C. Female longevity and egg production were substantially reduced after heat stress. Prior acclimation at 33°C for 1 and 3 days resulted in increased adult survival following heat stress. We discuss the results with respect to the ability of the fly to survive and reproduce under high summer temperatures.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Georgios Broufas, Dimitris S. Koveos, Maria Pappas

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Bactrocera oleae		Greece