116 [ DISEASES OF THE OLIVE TREE 



means of an ordinary plasterer's brush. This operation 

 is best performed in winter, at the time when the pupae 

 are hibernating in the crevices of the bark. 



It should be remembered also that many small birds 

 such as the redbreast, the redstart, the buntings etc. 

 which are fairly common early in autumn, during their 

 stay in the olive grove consume large numbers of the 

 olive-fly. However the best preventive remedy against 

 this insect is certainly the anticipated harvesting of the 

 fruit, by which the fly is deprived of the scope for its 

 exertions. Harvesting should be as complete as possible, 

 as a few olives allowed to remain dispersed over the trees 

 are sufficient to afford a breeding place for the last 

 brood whose pupae are destined to hibernate throughout 

 the winter. 



The larva of the olive-moth (Prays oleaellus Standt, 

 order of Lepidoptera) is frequently the cause of much 

 injury to the tender foliage and young shoots, especially 

 on young trees recently planted. The presence of the 

 larvae of this moth is easily recognized by the netting of 

 cobwebs usually covering the damaged twigs and leaves. 

 When no cobwebs are present then it is probable that 

 , the damage is due solely to the attacks of the olive-flea 

 (Psylla oleae lous, or Euphyllura oleae Forst, of which 

 both the larva and the winged insect cause damages 

 almost identical with those produced by the larva of the 

 moth. In any case, the treatment is the same. Spray 

 the trees with strong watering solution of tobacco juice, 

 or with an infusion of tobacco stalks. All well-known 

 insecticides in properly graded solutions, are equally 

 useful, such as lysol, hypnol, carbolineum, plantol etc. 

 Spraying with Bordeaux or with Burgundy mixtures, or 

 with paraffin and soap emulsion or with the mixture of 

 arseniate of lead, also gives satisfactory results, one or 

 two sprayings being usually sufficient. 



The olive tree borer (Phlaeotribus oleae Fab., order 

 Coleoptera) is often troublesome. The larva of this 



