CHEMIOTROPIC BEHAVIOR OF FEMALE OLIVE FLY (BACTROCERA-OLEAE GMEL) ON OLEA-EUROPAEA L

An interpretation is given of a number of observations on the chemiotr opic behavior of Bactrocera oleae in connection with olive maceration water and the fly's return to the olive groves after the first summer rains. To this end, the headspace of both maceration water and leaf le aching water, simulating rainfall, were examined. In both cases, the p resence of ammonia. which is generally known to attract fruit flies (D iptera, Tephritidae), was detected and, for the first time, in additio n to other compounds that are inert for the fly, the presence of styre ne was also detected. This aromatic hydrocarbon was found to be a stro ng attractant. It is shown that both ammonia and styrene are products of the metabolism of microbial flora present on the olive and leaf sur face.