Study of the flight dynamics of Prays oleae (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) using sexual trapping in olive orchards of Essaouira region, Morocco

Abstract

The population dynamics of the olive moth, Prays oleae (Bern) (Lep., Yponomeutidae) was monitored, using pheromone traps containing (Z)-7-tetradecenal, from 2009 to 2012 in olive groves of south-western Morocco. The carpophagous generation lasted significantly longer than the anthophagous generation. The relationship between climatic conditions and pheromone trap captures of male P. oleae in olive groves, in Essaouira, showed a significant relationship between carpophagous and anthophagous flights. Although there was generally a linear relationship between cumulative males catch and olive tree phenology. The interval between oviposition and emergence of adults could be interesting for the better understanding of moth monitoring.