BIO-ECOLOGY OF PARLATORIA OLEAE COLVÉE, 1880 (HEMIPTERA, DIASPIDIDAE) ON OLIVE TREES IN CATAMARCA AND LA RIOJA, ARGENTINA

The provinces of Catamarca and La Rioja have approximately 54% of the total agricultural area planted with olive (Olea europaea L.) trees in Argentina. This crop provides two final products: olive oil and olives for canning. In this region, the price of these products is reduced by the presence of Parlatoria oleae Colvée, 1880. This pest causes stains and malformations in fresh olives, and alteration in the physical, chemical and sensory properties of oils obtained from these fruits. In the present study the bio-ecology of P. oleae Colvée was studied during two years in olive farms situated in the Valle Central locations (Catamarca) and Villa Mazán (La Rioja), with either intensive (IS) or traditional (TS) management systems. The properties had production system of intensive management (IS) and traditional (TS) respectively. Samples were collected fortnightly in autumn-winter and weekly in spring and summer. Parlatoria oleae was present during all sampling in branches, leaves and fruits, showing preference for fruits. Peaks of population abundance between spring and summer appeared, leading to two generations per year. There was a significantly higher abundance in plots with TS, indicating that the management system would be one of the factors that determine the highest abundance of this species on olive farms. The results show the need to implement appropriate control measures for this species. Although it is not a primary pest of olive trees, it is a potential pest and damage can generate significant losses mainly in traditional systems (TS).