Economic injury level of olive psyllid Euphyllura straminea Loginova (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) in northwestern Iran

The olive psyllid Euphyllura straminea Loginova (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) is one of the most important pests of olive trees in Iran. To determine this pest's economic injury level (EIL) and to evaluate the relationship between density of nymphs (DON) and yield loss, different densities of olive psyllid nymphs were maintained on olive trees by different insecticide concentrations. Counting nymphs on olive terminal shoots was done to determine nymph abundance at the end of nymphal stage. Different densities of olive psyllid nymphs resulted in significantly different yield losses of olive trees. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between nymph density and yield loss. Considering pest management costs, the market value of olive, and insecticide efficiency, economic injury levels were evaluated from 4.08 to 7.14 nymphal days. The olive psyllid EIL values could be used to plan a pest control program in Zanjan and Guilan provinces.