What is consuming Prays oleae (Bernard) (Lep.: Yponomeutidae) and when: a serological solution?

Over 10 000 predatory arthropods were collected from two olive orchards, an d tested in a serological bioassay for olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard), p redation. The highest number of natural enemies tested positive during the flower generation, when the pest is most vulnerable. No consumption of P. o leae was detected once the larvae penetrated the olive fruit. Drought affec ted development of flowers and fruit, so reducing the pest and natural enem y population. Site differences affected the relative importance of the diff erent predatory groups. Ants were the most commonly found predators, follow ed by Heteroptera and Coleoptera. Secondary predation and scavenging may ha ve yielded false positives among the ELISA results. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce Ltd. All rights reserved.