This review of literature includes an introduction on the origin of the olive tree and lists 116 species of insects and 30 species of mites known to infest it. It treats the geographical distribution, host plants, feeding habits, voltinism and seasonal history of 34 species of phytophagous insects as well as of 7 species of mites. Most of these are monophagous or oligophagous and closely associated with the olive tree. Of the species covered, 16 are Homoptera, one Hemiptera, one Thysanoptera, five Coleoptera, four Diptera, seven Lepidoptera, six Eriophyoidea and one Tetranychoidea. The review shows that all species, except one, have a seasonal dormancy and for most of them diapause is certain or reasonably suspected to occur. Seasonal displacement does occur in a number of species, especially shortly before or after dormancy. Differences of opinion on seasonal history between authors are pointed out and conclusions drawn based on the most convincing papers. Suggestions are made for further research on important, yet neglected aspects of the life history of olive arthropods.