Dasineura oleae outbreaks in Tuscany: first observation on pest status and biology

Abstract: Dasineura oleae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) was considered a minor pest in Italy, until an outbreak of this pest was reported from the south of Tuscany in 2012. In the present study the pest status, the rate of parasitization and the life cycle of this phytophagous were investigated. The study area showed high infestation level associated with low presence of parasitoids. D. oleae showed a bivoltine life cycle with a first generation in spring and a second generation in autumn, in conjunction with olive tree vegetative growth.