Induction of sublethal effects for the characterization of Olive groves under different pest management systems

Abstract

Abstract Currently, olive grove management in Spain responds to the three following clearly differentiated systems in order of decreasing area: Conventional Management (70%), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) (26%) and Ecological Management (4%) systems. These are characterized by a decreasing dependence on synthetic insecticides and by different soil tillage intensities. They are also subject to different subside regulations and application regimen by the government, so their adequate characterization represents a factor of increasing importance, which is the object of this work.During the years 2017 and 2018, olive groves corresponding to the three types of management were selected, in which two series of plots were established. In one series, Dimethoate 40® was applied, considering plots of the second series as control. After insecticide application, beneficial insects were monitored through the use of chromatic traps.The results allow elucidating two clearly different behavioral patterns in beneficial insects, depending on the use of insecticides: Conventional and IPM management, where repellency reaction is manifested, absent in the Ecological Management. Aspects about the induction of sublethal effects for the characterization of the different pest management systems are discussed.