test Infestation of Olive Groves by the Olive Whitefly, Aleurolobus olivinus (Silvestri, 1911) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Bouira, Algeria|ENTOMOLOGIA HELLENICA

Infestation of Olive Groves by the Olive Whitefly, Aleurolobus olivinus (Silvestri, 1911) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Bouira, Algeria

GACEM & MEZERDI 2025
Published: Nov 30, 2025
Keywords:
Damage sooty mold Oleaceae olive tree pest phytophagous insect yellow sticky traps
Kamila GACEM
a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:224:"Laboratory of Ecosystem Diversity and Agricultural Production System Dynamics in Arid Zones (DEDSPAZA), Department of Agronomic Science, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, University of Biskra, Algeria.";}
MEZERDI FARID
Abstract

The olive whitefly, Aleurolobus olivinus (Silvestri, 1911) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is considered a secondary pest of olive trees. As a phloem-sap-feeding insect, it adversely affects tree health and productivity by inducing premature leaf drop and facilitating the development of sooty mold through the secretion of honeydew, particularly under favorable environmental conditions. It is specific to the Oleaceae family, particularly Olea europaea L., yet remains relatively understudied. This three-year study was conducted in an olive orchard in Taghzout (Bouira: Algeria), focusing on the Chemlal olive variety to investigate the pest's population dynamics. Sampling was performed by manually collecting leaves and using yellow sticky traps. Factors favoring whitefly proliferation included the absence of insecticide treatments and proximity to vegetated areas. The nymphal stage is particularly harmful due to its continuous feeding and promotion of black sooty mold formation. Nevertheless, natural enemies may help keep populations below damaging thresholds. A strong positive correlation (Pearson’s r = 0.899) was found between adult and nymphal counts, indicating closely linked population trends across life stages.

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