California accidentally introduced the olive fruit fly in 1998, and within five years, it had spread across every olive-growing region, forcing growers into permanent pest-control programs that transformed the state’s olive industry.

The olive fruit fly, an invasive species, arrived in California in 1998. It quickly spread across the state’s olive-growing regions, posing a significant threat. Larvae develop inside olives, making them difficult to control with conventional methods. Integrated pest management strategies and research have improved control efforts significantly. While established, the pest remains a major concern for California’s olive industry.