As part of this year’s Science Festival 2026, themed “Energy”, research team member of the BeerBy-4-OliveFly project, assistant Luka Čotić (DOK-NPOO-2023-10-7422), delivered an educational presentation on April 23, 2026, at the Institute premises entitled:

“Protein Baits: Energy for the Growth and Development of the Olive Fruit Fly”

The program took place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and was designed for students and teachers of visiting schools who toured the Institute’s laboratories and premises in small groups.

During the workshop and presentation, assistant Luka Čotić introduced the students in an engaging and accessible manner to the role of nutrition and proteins in the life cycle of the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae), one of the most significant olive pests in the Mediterranean. Special emphasis was placed on research conducted within the Croatian Science Foundation project “Novel approach to olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae, Rossi) monitoring and/or control using volatile compounds produced by brewing by-product – BeerBy-4-OliveFly” (IP-2022-10-9643), where brewery by-products are identified and processed into environmentally friendly protein baits used for attracting and controlling this pest.

Students had the opportunity to see how scientific research is applied in practice and how sustainable approaches and the concept of the circular economy provide new energy and solutions for agricultural crop protection.

We thank all students and teachers for their visit, great interest, and enjoyable time together at the Science Festival!