Beating olive pests naturally

Monday, 16 July 2007

Natural controls for two common olive pests will come under the scientific spotlight at a seminar at the Waite Campus next month.

Dealing with black scale and the apple weevil was named as a high priority for Australian olive growers after a recent study identified them as key pests for the industry.

During the seminar, SARDI scientist Greg Baker and James Altmann from Fruit Doctors will discuss their biological control program for black scale, which involves the mass-release in olive groves of a parasitoid that has been found to prey on the scale insect.
 
“Control that does not rely heavily on the use of chemicals will be an important step forward for the Australian olive industry, with the market hungry for clean, green produce,” Greg said.

Visiting Western Australian entomologists Sonya Broughton and Stewart Learmonth will also take part, talking about their three-year project to help growers tackle both pests using a range of natural and low-chemical control options.

The seminar, which is being jointly hosted by Olives SA and SARDI, will be held in the Waite Campus Auditorium from 1pm-3pm on Sunday, 5 August.

Contact: John Fennell on 0401 121 891