IMPLEMENTATION OF A REGIONAL BIOLOGICAL CONTROL PROGRAM FOR OLIVE FRUIT FLY IN CALIFORNIA WITH A PARASITOID FROM MOSCAMED, GUATEMALA

Based on previous successful results showing the potential of Psytallia cf. concolor for biological control of olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, in California, the objectives are to begin augmented releases of the parasitoid in regions in which the olive fruit fly has become a devastating pest; to determine the ability of the parasitoid to suppress pest populations in the open field, and ascertain its suitability for area-wide release; and, to determine the effects of ecological factors such as periods of low host abundance on the successful establishment of the parasitoid.