STUDIES ON THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SOME IMPORTANT TABLE AND OIL OLIVE CULTIVARS OF AEGEAN REGION TO OLIVE FLY (DACUS OLEAE GMEL.) IN TURKEY

This study was carried out to determine susceptibilities of five oil and table olive cultivars to the olive fly between 1984–1988 in Izmir. Olive fly population density, oil and water content of olive fruits, hardness of epicarp, color, size and weight of fruits were measured. Although there was not a close relationship between fruit criteria and fruit susceptibilities, it was found that cv Çilli was more and earlier infested than the others due to its higher water content and weight, soft epicarp, spherical form and its green color over the season. Cv Ayvalik was infested at lower level due to higher oil content and also lower water content and fruit weight. The susceptibilities of the cvs Memecik, Çakir and Domat were intermediate. Under the light of these findings trees of cv Çilli are therefore advisable to be used as trap because of the earlier choice by the olive fly.