Insight into insecticide resistance mechanism and eco-friendly approaches for the management of olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae Rossi: a review

The olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae Rossi (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a globally distributed and monophagous insect pest that primarily targets olive fruits. The management of this pest poses several challenges. The application of agrochemicals exerts risks to human and ecosystem health, threatens the extinction of biocontrol agents and promotes resistance development in B. oleae. Furthermore, while biocontrol agents play a valuable role in eco-friendly biocontrol pest management processes, there remains ample opportunity for further exploration and understanding of these agents. The protection measures predominantly depending on insecticides can lead to detrimental environmental impacts. The extensive use of insecticides enhances selection pressure on insect populations, potentially fostering the development of resistant strains. This phenomenon not only jeopardizes the efficacy of pest control measures but also raises concerns regarding environmental pollution caused by numerous insecticides. Herein, we provide the meaningful approach to reduce the extensive application of insecticides and emphasize the adoption of eco-friendly strategies to manage B. oleae. The current review delves into the published literature detailing the injudicious use of pesticides and its implications in resistance development perspective. To gain better understanding into the effective management of olive fruit fly, we provide a comprehensive overview on the application of chemical, biological, cultural, host plant resistance, sterile insect techniques (SIT) and biotechnological methods for managing B. oleae. Additionally, we propose future directions advocating for the adoption of suitable control practices and the promotion of sustainable pest management practices by both farmers and researchers. These efforts can help to mitigate the impact of the fruit fly on olive yield.