In the professional journal “Maslina” (in English: “Olive”) (number 106, May 2022), in the section “Najnovije iz znanosti” (in English: “Latest from science”), a professional paper entitled “Za prirodan način borbe s muhom i moljcem” (in English: “A natural way to fight olive fly and olive moth”) was published. Authors MSc Ana Bego and MSc Jakša Rošin are associates on the project “New methods in olive pests controlling using plant volatiles – LoVeFly” (KK.01.1.1.04.0002). The professional paper presents the project, describes the activities carried out, goals and results of previous research, and lists future activities that will be carried out in the coming season.
The magazine “Maslina” is the most influential and popular newspaper in the field of olive growing and olive oil production in the region (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia). It is intended for all olive growers and olive oil producers, for experts in the field of olive growing and for small and medium entrepreneurs and businessmen engaged in sectors of olive protection, of production and sale of machines and tools for olive growing and processing, of fruit and oil processing and of sales of olive and olive oil products (food, cosmetics, wood industry, etc.).

Organized by the Cooperative Alliance of Dalmatia the 24th International event of olive growers and oil oil producers “Noćnjak 2022.” was held in Supetar on the island of Brač from 5 to 8 May 2022. As part of the Noćnjak 2022, a Scientific-professional meeting was held under the leadership of PhD Mirella Žanetić, LoVeFly project associate. On the same a group of authors PhD Elda Vitanović, MSc Filipa Burul (CSF-DOK-2021-02-1355), MSc Ana Bego, PhD Maja Jukić Špika, PhD Marijana Popović and PhD Maja Veršić Bratinčević held a lecture entitled “Volatile substances as possible new attractants of the olive fly (Bactrocera oleae Rossi)”. In a lecture they presented the results of the research to interested olive growers and olive oil producers.

More on Noćnjak 2022. (in Croatian)

On May 5, 2022, the 2022 Science Festival entitled “Life of the Mediterranean: Move, Grow, Bloom” was held at the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation in Split. Project associates Ana Bego and Filipa Burul (CSF-DOK-2021-02-1355) held as part of the program popular scientific lecture entitled “Mediterranean flower species: a paradise for insects.” During the lecture they also presented to the students and professors the project “New methods in olive pests controlling using plant volatiles” (KK.01.1.1.04.0002).

More details about Science Festival (in Croatian)

As part of the project “New methods in olive pests controlling using plant volatiles” (KK.01.1.1.04.0002) workshop for olive growers and olive oil producers was held in the Cultural Center of Bol in Bol on the island of Brač, on May 3, 2022 . Project associates Ana Bego, mag. ing. agr, MSc Jakša Rošin, PhD Maja Jukić Špika and PhD Mirella Žanetić presented to the interested olive growers the goals of the project, all implemented project activities and the results obtained.

This is an OPEN CALL for expressions of interest for the employment of postdoctoral student to work on the project “New methods in olive pests controlling using plant volatiles” (KK.01.1.1.04.0002) for a period until December 20, 2022.

In addition to the general conditions prescribed by the Labour Act, candidates must fulfill the requirements prescribed by the Scientific Activity and Higher Education Act.

Prerequisites for applying for the postdoctoral program are: (I) doctorate in natural or biotechnical sciences and (II) active knowledge of English.

The expression of interest, for the specified position, should include a CV and a motivation letter, which should be sent as a PDF document to the e-mail address of the project manager Dr. sc. Elda Vitanović: Elda.Vitanovic@krs.hr.

A detailed description of the project and research can be found on the project website http://lovefly.krs.hr/.

Scientific paper “Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) Response to Different Blends of Olive Fruit Fly-Associated Yeast Volatile Compounds as Attractants”, group of authors Ana Bego, Filipa Burul (CSF-DOK-2021-02-1355), Marijana Popović, Maja Jukić Špika, Maja Veršić Bratinčević, Filip Pošćić and Elda Vitanović, was accepted and published in the journal Agronomy 2022; 12(1):72.

More details on paper

In three experimental olive groves, one in the inland, on the coast and on the island of Brač, selected volatile substances are tested in such a way that one selected volatile substance is placed in each delta trap in 4 repetitions, as stipulated in the project contract. In each olive grove, control delta traps with hexane were set up, as well as delta traps with pheromone for the olive moth in order to monitor the flight of the pest throughout the flight season of the same. These traps are changed every 7 days, rotated in each olive grove, and the results of the olive moth catch are read (Figure 1 – 7). In the other three selected olive groves, in which the attraction of the olive fly will be tested, yellow sticked traps with an olive fly pheromone were placed (Figures 8 and 9). Once a week, the flight is monitored and the results of the population are read, in order to set up an experiment with combined traps and selected volatile substances for the specified pest.

“56. Croatian and 16th International Symposium of Agronomists” was held in Vodice from 5 to 10 September 2021. On Wednesday, October 8, as part of the section “Agroecology, ecological agriculture and environmental protection”, the the poster work “Olive volatiles – possible attractants of olive pests” by the group of authors Ana Matešković, Marijana Popović, Tonka Ninčević, Maja Jukić Špika, Maja Veršić Bratinčević, Marija Mandušić, Jakša Rošin and Elda Vitanović was presented. In this work the preliminary results of the project “New methods in olive pests controlling using plant volatiles” (KK.01.1.1.04.0002) were disseminated to audience.

An experiment with RAG (delta) traps was set up to test the attraction of selected volatiles to the olive moth (Prays oleae Bern.). Experiment is placed in one olive grove at each of the three research areas (inland, coast, island). Three selected volatiles are tested in such a way that one selected volatile is placed in each delta trap in 4 repetitions, as stipulated in the project Agreement. In each olive grove, control delta traps with hexane were also set up, as well as delta traps with pheromone for the olive moth in order to monitor the flight of that pest throughout the flight season of the same. These traps will be changed every 7 days, rotated in each olive grove and the results of the olive moth catch will be read weekly.