Common name: Olive moth
Scientific name: Prays oleae
Order: Lepidoptera
Affects: Olives
Main season: Spring, Summer and Autumn
The olive moth Prays oleae is a phytophagous insect that is an example of host adaptation, it is also most likely of insect-plant co-evolution. Each of its three annual generations is specialised in using a completely different part of the plant. In addition, the nutritional value of these "menus" allows them, together with other conditioning factors, a greater or lesser speed of development, which is necessary for a perfect synchronisation with the lifecycle of the olive tree.
The adult is a silver-grey moth with a wingspan that is 13-14 mm wide and 6 mm long. The egg is lenticular, flat, 0,5 mm in diameter. It is also a whitish colour when recently laid, which turns to yellow when hatching. The larva grows to 8 mm when fully developed and varies in colour, predominantly brown and green, but always in light tones.The chrysalis, with no specific morphological characteristics, is protected by silks and plant or earth remains both in the aerial parts of the plant and in the soil, depending on the generation in question.
The three generations that follow throughout the season are perfectly synchronised with the phenological evolution of the olive tree:
Anthophagous generation: In April and May, the adults that come from the previous generation lay their eggs inside the closed flower buds and with a clear preference for the calyx.
The neonatal larvae penetrate the bud and feed primarily on the anthers and stigma. They pupate inside the fruit-bearing buds, protecting themselves with the remains of dried flowers that are joined by silk threads. This generation is the fastest to evolve, completing its development in a month and a half.
Larva feeding on a flower
Chrysalis inside a flower
Carpophagous generation: : The adults that appear from May to June, lay eggs on the small fruits, mainly in the calyx. When the larvae hatch, they directly perforate the fruit and enter inside the olive before the stone hardens.
They feed on the seed until mid-September, when they start to emerge from the olive to pupate in the ground, a period that lasts until the end of October. The new adults lay their eggs on the leaves (October) starting the phyllophagous generation all over again.
Egg laid on an olive (small image)
Penetration beginning inside an olive
Damage to the olives
Phyllophagous generation: The adults, during October and November deposit their eggs on the leaves and the newly born larvae remain inside the interior galleries during Winter. In February their activity increases, in which they change leaf several times. Finally, they feed on buds and leaves on the outside. Predominantly, they pupate on the underside of leaves and on the inside of silky buds, although they can do the same on tree trunks and in the ground.
Anthophagous generation: The damage that this generation produces is very relative and difficult to assess. One larva can destroy 20–30 flowers, but on the olive tree out of every 100 flowers only 2-3 olives ripen. In addition, the olive tree compensates for the fallen flowers with a greater number of olives ripening. Only in the case of low flowering and a high population of Prays oleae can there be a significant decrease in production.
Carpophagous generation: It is the most harmful in causing the olives to fall. The first fall (in June) is very difficult to assess because the tree compensates for it by increasing the size of the remaining olives. On many occasions, when harvesting, this can even be beneficial. The second fall (in Autumn), however, is very important because the olive is already developed and the tree does not have time to compensate.
Phyllophagous generation: In adult trees it does not cause any economic damage. Only in garden nurseries and growing trees it is able to destroy the buds and subsequently affect the future of the olive tree.
For the detection and monitoring of Prays oleae, 1 to 3 traps per hectare must be placed at the same height as the crops. They can be placed on a support for this purpose. Also, the traps must be placed before the first generation appears.
It is mainly the males of this species that are captured, with the aim to reduce mating. The unmated females will have unviable eggs, therefore reducing the population of this pest.
To carry out mass trapping, the number of traps per surface area must be increased, according to the location and uniformity of the plots. One trap controls a surface area between 500 y 1.000 m2. This converts to a density of 10-20 traps per hectare.
On the borders of the plots, it is necessary to place a barrier of traps, separated 10-15 metres apart from each other.
To obtain good control of Prays oleae, it is advisable to combine the two methods of detection and monitoring and mass capture.
In Spring, 1 to 3 traps per hectare can be placed to detect the pest and observe its population levels. Through tolerance thresholds established in each area, the moment to carry out control measures is then defined, in this case mass captures.
The tolerance threshold for Prays oleae is very low and varies depending on the area. Generally, there are between 7 and 21 captures per trap and per week. This is the moment in which we recommend setting the traps throughout the plot for mass capture.
Una trampa ECONEX POLILLERO, ECONEX GREEN POLILLERO, ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS or ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR and a pheromone diffuser ECONEX PRAYS OLEAE 2 MG 60 DAYS with a duration of 60 days in normal field conditions.
The trap ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS is activated by placing an ECONEX SHEET FOR TRIANGULAR 1 UNIT. on their base. The sticky sheet is impregnated with a solvent-free pressure-sensitive adhesive, in which the insects remain trapped.
ECONEX PRAYS OLEAE 2 MG 60 DAYS
Sexual pheromone diffuser of the species Prays oleae to attract males, with a duration of 60 days in normal field conditions.
Code: UIPHOVA123
ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS
28x20x11 cm, hanger included.
Code: UIPFETA273
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 064/2014
ECONEX SHEET FOR TRIANGULAR 1 UNIT.
Sticky sheet of 20 x 19 cm.
Code: UIPFETA248
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 048/2024
ECONEX POLILLERO
It is the most suitable trap for the majority of lepidopterans, especially large moths.
Code: UIPFETA001
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 123/2015
ECONEX GREEN POLILLERO
Recommended trap for counting most lepidopterans, especially large moths.
Code: UIPFETA027
OMDF register number (Ministry of Agriculture of Spain): 123/2015
ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR
Code:UIPFETA242
The pest population, adjoining crops, level of control required, etc…
An important factor is crop size. More traps are needed in small and irregular crops than in larger and more uniform plots.
Another important factor is the distance between plots that have the same pest. In such cases the border plots should be reinforced. Therefore, a density of up to 20 traps per hectare may be needed, or more in the case of mass trapping.
The diffusers must be stored in their original packaging in a cool and dry place and separated from food and drinks.
To preserve the diffusers for long periods of time, it is recommended to keep them in the refrigerator at 4 o C in which case they will last for 2 years. Or they can be kept in the freezer at -20 o C for 4 years.
ECONEX PRAYS OLEAE 2 MG 60 DAYS.
Corrugated cardboard box of 400 units (20 packs of 20 units).
Box size: 0,32 x 0,24 x 0,22 m (length x width x height).
Pack of 20 units.
Includes a product information leaflet
Box of 400 units.
(20 packs x 20 units)
ECONEX FOLDING WHITE TRIANGULAR WITHOUT SHEETS
Corrugated cardboard box of 150 units
Box size: 0.60 x 0.40 x 0.35 m (length x width x height)
Box weight: 10,60 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 20
Pallet size: 1.20 x 0.80 x 1.95 m (length x width x height)
Pallet weight: 222 kg
Box of 150 units.
ECONEX SHEET FOR TRIANGULAR 1 UNIT.
Corrugated cardboard box of 500 units
Box size: 0.42 x 0.29 x 0.21 m (length x width x height)
Box weight: 10,75 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 50
Pallet size: 1.10 x 1.00 x 1.25 m (length x width x height)
Pallet weight: 545 kg
Box of 500 units.
ECONEX POLILLERO
Corrugated cardboard box of 35 units
Box size: 0.60 x 0.40 x 0.35 m (length x width x height)
Box weight: 9,80 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 20
Pallet size: 1.20 x 0.80 x 1.95 m (length x width x height)
Pallet weight: 206 kg
Box of 35 units.
ECONEX GREEN POLILLERO
Corrugated cardboard box of 35 units
Box size: 0.60 x 0.40 x 0.35 m (length x width x height)
Box weight: 9,80 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 20
Pallet size: 1.20 x 0.80 x 1.95 m (length x width x height)
Pallet weight: 206 kg
Box of 35 units.
ECONEX DISPOSABLE WHITE TRIANGULAR
Corrugated cardboard box of 250 units
Box size: 0.42 x 0.29 x 0.21 m (length x width x height)
Box weight: 13,10 kg.
No. of boxes per pallet: 50
Pallet size: 1.10 x 1.00 x 1.25 m (length x width x height)
Pallet weight: 665 kg
Box of 250 units.
ECONEX PRAYS OLEAE 2 MG 60 DAYS LEAFLET
Leaflet in PDF format that can be downloaded by clicking on the image.
ECONEX LEARNING CENTER
ECONEX puts at your disposal the first open knowledge center that brings together everything necessary to implement pest biocontrol in your crops. We have developed different types of resources to share with you the knowledge we have acquired during our more than 38 years of experience. Each of them is designed to respond, in the best possible way, to different questions related to pheromones, attractants, repellents and insect traps.
To access ECONEX LEARNING CENTER click on the image.
SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX, S.L. only guarantees the composition, formulation and content of the products, taking responsibility for the direct, immediate and exclusive damages caused in the composition, formulation and content of the products sold. SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX, S.L. will not be held responsible for damages produced by factors beyond the company’s control that have either totally or partially contributed. For instance, the weather conditions, usage or mixing with other products, amongst others. In addition, SANIDAD AGRÍCOLA ECONEX, S.L. will provide recommendations and information supported by extensive and meticulous research and tests; which must be taken into account by the customer when using the products. The customer will be responsible for any damage caused, in whole or in part, for the total or partial non-observance of the instructions provided. Furthermore, the customer will be responsible for all that is referred to as the performance of the products; which comes from total or partial non-observance of the instructions and information provided by the company.