Insects instead of pesticides
Feb. 23, 2026
Beneficial insects instead of pesticides against olive tree pests
A leading olive oil company launches an innovative project to reduce olive grove treatments.
In the olive groves of Castillo de Canena , a historic olive oil company in Jaén, in the heart of Spain's olive growing region, it won't just be technicians and tractors working. Starting this season, insects will also be at work . Small, discreet, and almost invisible, they will become the silent guardians of biodiversity and new allies of the crop, designed to keep pests at bay .
With this step, the company once again positions itself at the forefront of the Spanish olive sector, becoming the first olive grove in the country to implement a biological pest control system based on beneficial insects . This strategic advance, promoted by the Olive and Olive Oil Technology Center CITOLIVA in collaboration with Castillo de Canena , is realized through its pioneering service, AGRO LIVE Natural Allies , designed to translate scientific knowledge into practical crop management.
With this approach, these beneficial insects will play a key role in the olive grove . They will act as allies of the crop itself, with a simple yet ambitious goal: controlling major pests, reducing pesticide use, and promoting a more thriving and balanced olive grove , strengthening its natural functioning.
For decades, the standard response to pests like the olive fruit fly or the cottony mealybug has been the intensive use of pesticides. An effective short-term solution, but with well-known side effects: rising costs, the emergence of resistance, loss of biodiversity, and growing regulatory and social pressure to reduce their use . In this context, Castillo de Canena's decision to take this step by investing in AGRO LIVE Natural Allies represents a statement of leadership and a firm commitment to a new production model.
The signing of the agreement
To make this possible, Citoliva will conduct field analyses and monitoring to understand how beneficial insect communities evolve and the role they play in maintaining the balance of the olive grove. Through entomological studies and continuous observation, the technology center will create the necessary conditions for beneficial insects to act effectively and sustainably against pests , keeping them below the economic damage threshold and strengthening, with knowledge and planning, a control system that arises from the natural functioning of the crop.
"It's not about eliminating treatments all at once, but about reducing dependence on them and making the system smarter ," explains Maria Dolores Jimenez, manager of Citoliva . Throughout the process, Citoliva technicians will analyze the presence and activity of these natural allies, conduct regular monitoring, and translate the data into practical management decisions, integrated into the farm's routine operations.
Thanks to this approach, the AGRO·LIVE Natural Allies service , developed by Citoliva , will allow a gradual reduction in the use of insecticides , resulting in savings in costs and treatment times . It will also promote the production of olives and oils free of chemical residues, increasingly appreciated by consumers, while strengthening the ecological balance of the olive grove and its ability to self-regulate against pests.
With this pioneering approach, Castillo de Canena —which uses cutting-edge Pieralisi technology for its oil production —is transforming its farms into a living laboratory for innovation applied to olive groves, demonstrating that biodiversity, when managed with knowledge and strategic vision, can become a true tool for competitiveness and sustainability.
