Maintaining Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin.) (Diptera : Tephritidae) colony on its natural host in the laboratory

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin.) (Diptera:Tephritidae) is a pest on olives (Olea europea) in the Mediterranean basin. An olive fruit fly colony was maintained on olives at 24 +/- 1 degrees C, 60% RH, and 16:8 h (light:dark) photoperiod with fluorescent lighting. We investigated oviposition behavior, developmental duration and weights of the biological stages, and adult longevity. A single female laid an average of 19 eggs/day and 200-350 eggs in her lifetime. The maximum number of oviposition stings in a single olive was 156.0 +/- 5.77, and 28.00 +/- 3.62 larvae out of it completed their development, all pupated, and all emergence successfully. Although the development period was similar for larvae and pupae, adult longevity varied. Male and female emergence percentages ranged as 38.7-52.8, and 32-39.9%, respectively. The results are presented in relation to published studies on olive fruit fly rearing.