A novel bioassay for evaluating insecticide sensitivity: a case study of Calocoris trivialis Costa (Hemiptera: Miridae) in olives.

A recent increase in the Calocoris trivialis populations associated with premature olive blossom dropping in Crete coupled with ineffective control by organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides resulted in resistance development speculation. A stem-dip assay was developed to evaluate C. trivialis susceptibility to dimethoate and beta-cyfluthrin against nymphal and adult insect stages.

A Pesticide Residues Insight on Honeybees, Bumblebees and Olive Oil after Pesticidal Applications against the Olive Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae).

In 2017 and 2018, a field survey was initiated on Greek olive orchards to investigate the attractiveness of bait spray applications and the impact of cover and bait sprays applied against the olive fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae), on the honeybee, L. and bumblebees , by investigating the pesticides' residual prevalence. Bee colonies were evenly distributed in three sites located on coastal areas of Western Crete and visited almost weekly between July and October.

Residual degradation and toxicity of insecticides against Bactrocera oleae.

Field and lab trials took place in Crete (July to September 2016), concerning the residual degradation and toxicity of seven active ingredients applied as bait sprays against the olive fruit fly. Highest residues were recorded in olive leaves for dimethoate and phosmet (~ 60 mg/kg) immediately after application (day 1+), while a threefold and fivefold reduction was observed 1 week later, respectively. Residues of pyrethroids were determined at lower levels (< 10 mg/kg) but remained almost stable for a longer period of time.

The bacterial metabolite 2-aminoacetophenone promotes association of pathogenic bacteria with flies.

Bacteria contaminate insects and secrete metabolites that may affect insect behaviour and potentially fitness through unknown mechanisms. Here we show that the 'grape-like' odorant 2-aminoacetophenone (2AA), secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a ubiquitous opportunistic human pathogen), facilitates attraction to food for several fly species including Musca domestica, Ceratitis capitata and Drosophila melanogaster. Constant feeding on 2AA increases the level of long-term colonization of the flies' intestine by P.