Influence of the surrounding landscape on olive fruit fly populations

Abstract: This work reports on the relationship between landscape composition andconfiguration of land uses and the population density of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, aworldwide key pest of olive trees. The relationship was tested at different distances from theolive fruit fly sampling points, in circular areas with radii ranging from 500 to 2000 m. Asignificant relationship was found at short distances for the following indices: total number ofpatches, mean patch size, total length of patch edges, edge density and mean patch edge length.These results indicate that landscape features can affect populations of this phytophagous insect.However, more detailed understanding of the processes underlying this phenomenon is needed toimplement measures to manage this important species.