The significant difference in
B. oleae infestation levels between SHD and TRD highlighted the influence of cultivation practices and environmental factors on
B. oleae dynamics (
Figure 3,
Table 2). The SHD system, characterized by larger olive size and higher water availability, created more favorable conditions for olive fly infestations (
Table S1). Conversely, the TRD orchard, with smaller olives and presumably lower water availability, exhibited lower infestation levels, emphasizing the importance of system management in controlling
B. oleae infestations. Olive size emerged as a key factor in understanding olive fly infestation dynamics, underscoring the critical role of water management in influencing the susceptibility of olives to this pervasive pest [
26,
32]. Moreover, while
B. oleae maintained moderate infestation levels across the host range in TRD, it demonstrated a strong preference for specific hosts within SHD, leading to significantly higher infestation levels. This suggests that the management practices unique to each planting system, coupled with their interaction with olive cultivars, are crucial factors, as previously reported in the literature [
33]. Researchers have increasingly focused on understanding the mechanisms influencing the olive fly’s choice of oviposition sites across different cultivars; as such, insights could pave the way for more effective pest management strategies. For example, in central Italy, total infestation levels were significantly higher in traditional orchards compared to SHD, where infestations were reduced by nearly 50% [
23]. Despite geographical and temporal variations, there were no significant differences among sites or years in terms of
B. oleae catches. Additionally, certain cultivars, such as ‘Arbequina’, may exhibit lower sensitivity to
B. oleae due to their small fruit size and high oleuropein production. Environmental factors, such as the absence of a pronounced dry season, may also significantly influence infestation levels [
23].
The higher infestation levels of
E. olivina in TRD compared to SHD systems can be attributed to differences in cultivation practices and environmental conditions (
Figure 4,
Table 3). TRD, with its more open canopy structure, may create less favorable conditions for ventilation and sunlight exposure, thereby fostering the development of
E. olivina infestations. In contrast, SHD, characterized by trees arranged in thinner hedgerows, provides better ventilation and sunlight exposure, reducing the likelihood of severe infestations [
34]. The early infestation of ‘Coratina’ in December highlighted its susceptibility and aligns with previous reports indicating that attacks by pre-imaginal stages are concentrated near the fruits [
35]. ‘Maurino’, ‘Leccino’, ‘Carolea’, ‘Peranzana’, ‘Nociara’, and ‘Frantoio’ exhibited significant infestations starting in March, with ‘Maurino’ showing the highest peak in May and June. ‘Nociara’ was the least infested, suggesting potential resistance or less favorable conditions for
E. olivina development in this cultivar. Landi et al. [
23] noted that
E. olivina was disadvantaged by SHD orchard management, which resulted in negligible damage in some cultivars, such as ‘Coratina’, ‘Leccino’, and ‘Maurino’. Furthermore, differences in pest frequency were observed across sites, likely influenced by geographic parameters, agronomic practices, and climatic conditions, such as the absence of a dry season [
23].
O. cribricollis poses a significant threat to both traditional and superintensive olive orchards due to its damaging feeding habits and rapid population growth [
23]. Although limited studies are available on olives, larvae of
Otiorhynchus spp. in other fruit species caused substantial damage by feeding on the fine roots of trees. This resulted in stunted growth, smaller leaves and fruits, and ultimately, plant death if left uncontrolled [
36]. The damage is further exacerbated by adult beetles, which feed on foliage, creating round cuts along the leaf edges and adding stress to the plants. Infestations of
O. cribricollis are becoming increasingly relevant in the context of olive pests. In this study, infestation levels were generally higher in SHD, except for ‘Carolea’, which showed higher infestations in TRD (
Table 4,
Figure 5). These elevated infestation levels in SHD orchards were likely due to the vegetative canopy continuity, which facilitates the spread of this pest, along with the tension structures typical of SHD systems that act as bridges for the insect [
37]. Notably, ‘Carolea’ recorded the highest infestation levels among the cultivars, representing an exception as its highest infestations were observed in TRD (
Table 4). This anomaly can be attributed to two factors: (i) unlike other cultivars in SHD, ‘Carolea’ has a columnar growth habit that does not create the same vegetative continuity as other cultivars [
38]; (ii) in TRD, ‘Carolea’ had a higher number of suckers, which are known to be particularly appealing to this pest [
37]. The significant differences in
P. unionalis infestations between TRD and SHD systems underscore the influence of irrigation and vegetative growth on pest distribution (
Figure 6,
Table 5). Weather conditions appeared to exacerbate these infestations, particularly in August, aligning with the findings of Caselli et al. [
39]. Early infestations in ‘Cima di Bitonto’, ‘Coratina’, and ‘Peranzana’ suggested that these genotypes may be more susceptible to early-season pest activity. The uniformity of infestation levels in the SHD system highlighted how intensive cultivation practices can influence pest dynamics, supporting the observations of González-Zamora et al. [
40]. The role of tender vegetative tips as a preferred substrate for
P. unionalis is corroborated by previous studies [
41,
42,
43]. These findings suggested that managing vegetative growth through pruning and irrigation practices could be key strategies for controlling
P. unionalis infestations in olive orchards. In central Italy, SHD olive orchard systems were found to favor
P. unionalis infestations compared to traditional systems. The increased vegetative growth in SHD, primarily due to pruning, contributed to this heightened infestation. However, in that experimental site, infestations on shoots of ‘Arbequina’ remained low and showed no differences between SHD and TRD, likely due to the low total tree biomass produced [
23]. The observed seasonality of
P. oleae infestations across different cultivars highlights the impact of climatic conditions and genetic characteristics on pest dynamics. Two distinct infestation peaks aligned with the typical regional seasonality of
P. oleae (
Figure 7,
Table 6). Higher infestation levels in TRD, linked to the crop load of the previous year, suggested that past agricultural practices significantly influence current pest levels, with ‘Coratina’ being the most infested cultivar. The delayed infestations observed in ‘Maurino’ and ‘Carolea’ indicated that genetic factors may influence the timing of pest activity. Meanwhile, increased infestations in ‘Cima di Bitonto’ and ‘Carolea’ in SHD underscored the importance of both environmental and genetic factors in developing effective pest management strategies. The higher infestations observed in TRD can be attributed to environmental conditions favoring
S. oleae development, particularly due to wider pruning cycles [
44,
45]. Infestations began earlier, in December, for ‘Coratina’, ‘Maurino’, and ‘Peranzana’, with ‘Maurino’ and ‘Peranzana’ showing increased infestation levels in January (
Table 7,
Figure 8). This suggests a population buildup of
S. oleae during this period. In regions like Apulia and Crete,
S. oleae exhibits an annual generation cycle, with population peaks during the summer and significant natural mortality due to extreme climatic conditions, such as high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures [
46,
47]. The delayed infestation observed in ‘Cima di Bitonto’ and ‘Leccino’, starting in February, indicates a variation in the seasonality of
S. oleae activity among cultivars (
Table 7,
Figure 8). The significant reduction in infestation levels following pruning in February underscores the impact of agronomic practices on pest management. The persistent infestations in ‘Peranzana’ and stable infestation rates in ‘Leccino’ highlighted differences in cultivar susceptibility and pest recovery ability. The absence of infestations in ‘Carolea’ and ‘Nociara’ throughout the observation period pointed to potential resistance in these genotypes. Pest distribution within the tree is also influenced by microhabitats, with scales preferring sheltered areas and older leaves, which can impact the overall health and productivity of the trees [
47,
48]. Moreover, these discrepancies in infestation patterns could be influenced by genetic factors, seasonal pest activity, environmental conditions, and the effectiveness of pruning interventions [
49]. The impact of more intensive cultivation practices was further emphasized by the higher infestation levels observed in TRD compared to SHD (
Table 2). Landscape composition and configuration also play significant roles, as diverse and complex landscapes are associated with lower pest populations. This is attributed to an increased abundance of natural enemies and the presence of herbaceous and woody vegetation adjacent to olive orchards, which help reduce pest abundance [
50]. In SHD, intense pruning and high plant biomass production could favor pest infestations due to denser canopies and higher humidity levels. In contrast, TRD often provides less favorable conditions for pests [
23]. Additionally, the absence of a dry season can create optimal conditions for pest development, highlighting the importance of regional climatic conditions in devising effective pest management strategies [
23]. Long-term studies have underscored the importance of balancing yield and economic losses when deciding on pest control measures, particularly for pests like
P. oleae. While natural egg predators can significantly reduce pest populations, control measures may still be necessary during years of high infestation to prevent economic losses [
51]. Selecting appropriate cultivars for different management systems is also crucial. Some cultivars exhibit lower susceptibility to pests due to specific traits, making them more suitable for certain cultivation systems and aiding in the development of integrated pest management strategies [
51].