03 Mar Significant pests of the olive tree canopy
February 2021
The three most common and potentially destructive insect pests found in Australian olive groves are:
Black Scale Saissetia oleae. Frequently associated with Sooty Mould
(Photos: OliVera)
Ref: [1]IPDM Resources (OL17001): Olive Black Scale Flier by Robert Spooner-Hart et al (2020).
Ref: [2]IPDM Resources (OL17001): Field Guide (Second Edition) by Robert Spooner-Hart et al (2020) – Sooty Mould pg 61.
Ref: [3]Managing Black Scale in Olives (AOA 2016).
Ref: [4]Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives (RIRDC 12/019) by Sonya Broughton and Stewart Learmonth.
Ref: [5]Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives (Review December 2019) by Sonya Broughton and Stewart Learmonth.
[1] IPDM Resources (OL17001): Black Scale Flier: https://olivebiz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/BLACK-SCALE.pdf
[2] IPDM Resources (OL17001): Field Guide (Second Edition): https://olivebiz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Field-Guide-2nd-edn-revised_2.pdf
[3] Managing Black Scale in Olives (AOA 2016): https://australianolives.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FACT-SHEET-Black-Scale-2016.pdf
[4] Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives (RIRDC 12/019) by Sonya Broughton and Stewart Learmonth: https://www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/12-019.pdf
[5] Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives (Review December 2019) by Sonya Broughton and Stewart Learmonth: https://australianolives.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Management-of-Black-Scale-and-Apple-Weevil-in-Olives-a-review-Dec2019.pdf
Olive Lace Bug Froggattia olivinia
(Photos: OliVera)
Ref: [1]IPDM Resources (OL17001): Olive Lace Bug Flier by Robert Spooner-Hart et al (2020).
Ref: [2]Management of Olive Lace Bug by Dr Vera Sergeeva (OliVera).
[1] IPDM Resources (OL17001): Olive Lace Bug: https://olivebiz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/OLIVE-LACE-BUG.pdf
[2] Management of Olive Lace Bug by Dr Vera Sergeeva (OliVera): https://olivediseases.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Management-of-Olive-Lace-Bug-Fact-Sheet-1.pdf
Weevils Apple Weevil, Curculio Beetle (Otiorhynchus cribricollis) in inland NSW, SA & WA, Garden Weevil (Phlyctinus callosus), mainly in WA
(Photos: OliVera / Australis Plants)
Ref: [1]IPDM Resources (OL17001): Weevils Flier by Robert Spooner-Hart et al (2020).
Ref: [2]Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives (RIRDC 12/019) by Sonya Broughton and Stewart Learmonth.
Ref: [3]Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives (Review December 2019) by Sonya Broughton and Stewart Learmonth.
[1] IPDM Resources (OL17001): Weevils Flier: https://olivebiz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/WEEVILS.pdf
[2] Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives (RIRDC 12/019) by Sonya Broughton and Stewart Learmonth: https://www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/12-019.pdf
[3] Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives (Review December 2019) by Sonya Broughton and Stewart Learmonth: https://australianolives.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Management-of-Black-Scale-and-Apple-Weevil-in-Olives-a-review-Dec2019.pdf
Other less common pests of olives found in Australia:
Armoured Scales Hemiptera: Diaspididae, includes:
(Photos: OliVera (oleander scale) / Australis Plants (red citrus scale))
- Red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (most common)
- Oleander scale, Aspidiotus nerii
- Ross’s black scale, Lindingaspis rossi
- Circular black scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum
- Parlatoria scale, Parlatoria oleae
Ref: [1]IPDM Resources (OL17001): Field Guide (Second Edition) by Robert Spooner-Hart et al (2020) – pg 22.
[1] IPDM Resources (OL17001): Field Guide (Second Edition): https://olivebiz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Field-Guide-2nd-edn-revised_2.pdf
Ants Hymenoptera: Formicidae. Frequently associated with Black Scale infestations.
(Photos: Science Source (red citrus scale) / Australis Plants (black olive scale))
Ref: [1]IPDM Resources (OL17001): Field Guide (Second Edition) by Robert Spooner-Hart et al (2020) – pg 21.
[1] IPDM Resources (OL17001): Field Guide (Second Edition): https://olivebiz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Field-Guide-2nd-edn-revised_2.pdf
Olive bud mite, Oxycenus maxwelli.
(Photos: OliVera / Paulo R Reis)
Ref: [1]IPDM Resources (OL17001): Field Guide (Second Edition) by Robert Spooner-Hart et al (2020) – pg 34.
Ref: [2]Olive Bud Mite, University of Florida 2016.
[1] IPDM Resources (OL17001): Field Guide (Second Edition): https://olivebiz.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Field-Guide-2nd-edn-revised_2.pdf
[2] Olive Bud Mite, University of Florida 2016: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/FRUIT/TROPICAL/olive_bud_mite.htm