The olive fly has high levels of genetic diversity

The main olive plague which causes serious agricultural and economic losses, the fly Bactrocera oleaehas high levels of genetic diversity, that is, it has increased its genetic characteristics to survive and spread throughout the Mediterranean basin, according to a study led by the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM).

This high genetic diversity may be due to a large population size and the time that the species has been established in the Mediterranean area for about 400,000 years according to some studies. “The large extension of olive groves and the temperature and humidity conditions in our country would favor the fertility of females (they can lay more than 200 eggs) in 2 to 5 annual generations”justifies Esther Lantero, researcher at the Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology of the UCM. In addition to the UCM, in the study published in insects The San Pablo-CEU University and the European University of Madrid participate.

The “good health” of the fly in Spain

In the work, the researchers analyzed, through Mitochondrial DNA PCR, more than 250 individuals from 28 populations of six Mediterranean countries. Of these, 154 came from 18 olive groves on the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain, “The populations of this pest enjoy good genetic health and, at the same time, have the capacity to migrate to relatively distant areas in different provinces and autonomies”Add Beatriz Matallanas, co-author.

In addition to genetic diversity, the work concludes that Spanish populations are genetically very similar and that in the Mediterranean area two genetic groups can be seen, one made up of the Israeli and eastern Greek populations and the other that encompasses the populations of Spain, Portugal, Italy, North Africa and the westernmost populations of Greece.

“The generation of genetic information is useful for an effective control of their populations, since one of the challenges is greater knowledge of the species and the population dynamics in this area”Lantero points out. In recent years, the classic measures of pest control based on insecticides have turned out to be ineffective on many occasions, mainly due to the increase in the resistance of the species.

The results of this research, which reflect the population dynamics of the olive fruit fly throughout its distribution area, complement previous work and facilitate the design of effective management strategies in a context where European regulations limit the use of chemical products, favoring alternative biological control measures.

Font: UCM, SINC Agency,

Reference article: https://www.agenciasinc.es/Noticias/La-mosca-del-olivo-una-plaga-de-elevada-diversidad-genetica