Olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin)) oviposition preference was observed in the field on 7 commercially important olive varieties for 2 years. The varieties were Arbequina, Frantoio, Leccino, Koroneiki, Mission, Manzanillo, and Sevillano. The first 5 varieties are primarily used for oil and are smaller than the latter two, which are larger and primarily grown as table olives. Manzanillo is the most commonly grown variety in the state. Female B. oleae show a strong preference for large varieties in the field. Preference was also assayed in the laboratory using no-choice tests. The field preference levels are difficult to duplicate in the laboratory. Larval performance, as indicated by development time, pupal weight, and pupal development time was assayed for each of the 7 varieties. Larval development time was faster, pupal weight was greater, and pupal development time was faster for the larger varieties, Manzanillo and Sevillano. There was virtually no larval development in Koroneiki, the smallest variety, and it was dropped from the analysis for this reason.