Many growers have been contacting me about their ongoing problems with Olive Lace Bug. Outbreaks and populations of Olive Lace Bug have been found in areas where they never have been seen before. These cases of Lace Bug attack can be difficult to control, particularly when the pest is so persistent. A product called Sumi-Alpha…
Category: Pest & Disease
Ant Bait Control in Olives and Crop applications with Distance PLUS by Sumitomo Chemical
Distance PLUS ant bait is based on the insect growth regulator Pyriproxyfen, it acts as a juvenile hormone mimic, preventing the queen from laying viable eggs and preventing the metamorphosis of larvae into adult ants. Because of its unique mode of action, Distance Plus causes a gradual reduction in worker numbers until the colony collapses…
Anthracnose in Olives Explained!
Anthracnose During the oil-processing season, Anthracnose can be a problem for some growers in certain areas. It is urgent that this issue is addressed otherwise oil quality may be drastically reduced. Description The fungus that causes this disease is called ‘Gloeosporium olivarum’. Anthracnose is the general term given to diseases that result in roundish black…
Those Pesky Birds in the Olive Grove!
Here is an experience from one of our Growers in Queensland who has had success with Bird Control in Olives: “After trying almost every bird scaring devices in the last 5-10 years which included Gas Guns, Sound recorded scare devices, running out into the grove every 30 mins with ATV’s to scare them away, placing…
Explaining Curculio Beetle or Apple Weevil in Olives!
Common Name: Curculio Beetle or Apple Weevil Scientific name: ‘Otiorrhynchus Cirbricollis’ One of the species of the Weevil family Curculionidae and is a native to the Mediterranean. In Australia, Curculio beetles or Apple Weevils are mainly known amongst Olive Growers in South Australia and Western Australia. Curculio Beetle is nocturnal so damage will occur during…
Olive Tree Plant Pathology & Bio-security
If you have a strange happening in your grove and it is a task for Plant Pathology, please contact directly; Len Tesoriero is a plant pathologist who researches diseases of horticultural crops. He has a strong interest in protecting Australian horticulture’s biosecurity through accurate diagnostic support and surveillance for exotic disease threats. CONTACT DETAILS: Dr…
What is causing ‘Wet limbs’ on olive trees?
Hi Amanda, We were wondering if you can tell us from the attached images if the markings on the limbs of these Barnea olive trees are a problem ??
Help, I have Black marks on the trunks on my olive trees, what do I do?
Hi Amanda,
Please help, we are based in the Hunter Valley and it appears that where moisture runs through the tree is where the problem is (see pictures). It doesn’t look like sooty mould but we had scale and olive lace bug issues. The trees are in urgent need of care. What is the black on the trunks and what do I do? P NSW
Olive Growing: Killer pathogen, Drought in Spain and Olive Fly decimates world harvest
This article it shows a lead into some of the current international olive growing issues. Lucky we don’t have this pathogen in Australia! For the 2015 Olive Harvest, Australian Olive Growers may be able to look at more opportunities to sell their oil this season, here’s why… Plant germ in Europe is killing centuries-old olive…
What are these blemishes or marks on my olive fruit?
I’ve just received these photos in the mail from a grower in VIC and located South of Melbourne. GROWER QUESTION: What are these marks on my olive fruit? ABOUT: I’ve been out on my grove in the last week and noticed these blemishes/spots on my fruit. I’m not sure what this is but these appeared…
What is Peacock Spot in Olives?
What can happen in an olive grove that can contribute to the signs and symptoms of Peacock Spot? During a summer-long past, the casual inspection of a Kalamata tree in a home garden suggested a shortage of water at the roots of the tree. The shorter than normal distance between one set of buds and…
Amanda Bailey on Olives by The Olive Centre 