The impact of super-high density olive orchard management system on the main insect pests in Tuscany: a three-year survey

Abstract: Super-High Density (SHD) olive orchards are spreading. The aim of the present study was to compare SHD olive orchards with traditional ones and evaluate the impact on the most important and widespread pests. In three sites of Tuscany, a SHD management system was compared to an adjacent traditional olive orchard system where the same soil and phytosanitary managements were applied. Bactrocera oleae showed lower levels of infestation in the SHD system than in the traditional one. Conversely, Otiorhynchus cribricollis showed an opposite trend, even though the damage was negligible. Prays oleae never caused damages while Palpita vitrealis was harmful in only one site.