Studio sul complesso parassitario di Prays oleae (Bernard) e sui livelli di parassitizzazione in un oliveto biologico della Sicilia occidentale.

Study on the parasitoid complex of Prays oleae(Bernard) and parasitism levels in an organic oliveorchard in western Sicily (Italy).Prays oleae is a serious pest of the olive tree inthe Mediterranean basin. This phytophagous infestsfruits (carpophagous generation) and leaves(phyllophagous generation). In cases of highpopulation densities crop losses, caused mainlyby fruit drop, may be heavy. The aim of thiswork was to investigate on 1) parasitoid speciesliving on P. oleae, 2) their incidence parasitoid complex, 3) parasitism levels and 4)the influence on the fruit fall.Observations wereconducted in an organic olive grovenear Contessa Entellina (PA) (Sicily,Italy) (37.43.44 N; 13.10.14 E, 640m s. l. m.). Samples of leaves, weekly, were collected, duringthe overwintered (phyllophagous) andMarch 2004 to July 2007. In laboratory,singly into vials and observed dailyuntil the adult emergence.