El-Sharabasy H.M. (2015): Laboratory evaluation of the effect of the entomopathogenic fungi, Hirsutella thompsonii and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, against the citrus brown mite, Eutetranychus orientalis (Acari: Tetranychidae). Plant Protect. Sci., 51: 39-45.Formulations of the entomopathogenic fungi Hirsutella thompsonii (Fisher) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) Brown and Smith were tested against all stages of this pest under laboratory conditions. Three concentrations: 0.5 × 10 9 ,1.0 × 10 9 , and 2.0 × 10 9 conidia/ml were sprayed on leaf discs containing larvae, nymphs, and adults, while a single dosage of 1.0 × 10 9 conidia/ml was sprayed on eggs as ovicide. All the life stages were susceptible to both fungal pathogens at the tested concentrations. Larval and nymphal stages were generally less susceptible than adults. Based on probit analysis, H. thompsonii was the highest virulent with LC 50 and LT 50 (358, 290, and 146 conidia/ml and 7.78, 7.11, and 6.92 days) and P. fumosoroseus (597, 589, and 339 conidia/ml and 7.49, 7.14, and 4.31 days) for larvae, nymphs, and adults, respectively. However the efficacy of the two pathogens evaluated clearly differs from that of the controls. Compared with controls, egg hatchability was reduced at the different pathogen concentrations used. H. thompsonii at LC 50 was more effective against eggs. Also, females in the control laid more eggs than those treated with the fungi. The entomopathogenic fungi H. thompsonii and P. fumosoroseus could be considered as an environmentally friendly alternative for biocontrol of E. orientalis.

The present study was conducted for one year (from February 2012 to January 2013) to survey mites inhabiting organic manures of some domestic animals (Buffalos, Cows, Sheep, Goats, Rabbits and Poultry) in Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia governorate. The study revealed the presence of 21 mite species, belonging to 16 families and 4 suborders (Acaridida, Actinedida, Gamasida and Oribatida). Dominance of the relative abundance and Shannon-Wiener index were calculated for mite communities. Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Shrank) was the dominant species within all manures examined. The poultry manure harbored the highest numbers of mite species (S = 13), while the rabbit manure harbored the lowest (S = 4). On the other hand, Macrocheles mascadomesticae (Scopoli), and Cheyltus malaccensis Oudemans, were the widespread species inhabiting most of the examined animal manurs.

The continued use of waste water for irrigation of agricultural fields in Egypt may lead to accumulation of heavy metals in soils and adverse effects on soil-living communities. We investigated responses of oribatid communities to heavy metal contamination in mango plantations irrigated by the Ismailia canal in the Suez region. Mean concentrations of heavy metals determined in irrigation water were considerably above the recommended levels. Concentrations of metals in agricultural soil were however below the permissible levels. A comparison with concentrations of a typical uncontaminated soil in this area revealed that the Ismailia water canal used for irrigation of agricultural land has elevated levels of heavy metals. The results of our ecological survey showed that the abundance and structure of the soil oribatid communities were not influenced by levels of heavy metals in the soil. We also showed that the diversity index can be a valuable tool for assessing the possible impact of pollutants on different species of oribatid mites. The oribatid species appeared to be accumulating different amounts of heavy metals when characterised by their bioconcentration factors. Most species were poor zinc accumulators. The accumulation of heavy metals in the body of oribatids was not strictly determined by their body size or by the trophic level. In conclusion, our study showed that mango plantations impacted by waste water from the Ismailia canal are accumulating heavy metals in their soils above the background concentrations, but ecological effects on soil-living communities are not apparent yet.

This study was carried out during two successive years from October 2014 to September 2016. Results showed that the temperature and moisture R.H.% were significantly affected the mean abundance of the phytophagous mite O. mangiferus and its predator A. swirskii associated with mango orchard trees. The highest mean abundance of O. mangiferus was recorded in the summer season (2.96 ± 0.6 indv./leaf) and (1.33 ± 0.05 indv./leaf) for A. swirskii, respectively in the first year (from October 2014 to September 2015). On the other hand, the lowest mean abundance was recorded in the autumn (0.6 ± 0.11) for O. mangiferus, (0.23 ± 0.09 indv./leaf) for A. swirskii. The mean abundance of O. mangiferus populations increased to (3.43 ± 0.7 indv./leaf) in the second year of study in contrast to the populations of its predator. The results stated that the temperature had a significant effect on the population abundance of the phytophagous mite, O. mangiferus and its predator while the relative humidity had a negative effect on both populations.

Field study was carried out on mite species inhabiting some fruit trees in Ismailia Governorate, during the period from October 2014 to September 2016. Survey of mites proved the occurrence of 44 mite species belonging to 36 genera and 21 families belong to 2 orders and 4 suborders. Order: Acariformes include three suborders; Prostigmata, Astigmata and Cryptostigmata. Suborder Prostigmata was represented by 14 families: Tetranychidae (7 species), Tenuipalpidae (8 species), Eriophyidae (one species), Stigmaeidae (2 species), Neophyllobiidae (2 species), Caligonellidae (one species), Raphignathidae (one species), Cheyletidae (3 species), Eupalopsellidae (one species), Bdellidae (one species), Cunaxidae (one species), Eupodidae (one species), Tydeidae (3 species) and Tarsonemidae (one species). Suborder: Astigmata was represented by two families: Acaridae (two species) and Glycyphagidae (one species). Suborder Cryptostigmata was represented by two families: Oppiidae (one species) and Oribatulidae (one species). On the other hand, order: Acariformes include one suborder: Mesostigmata, which represented by three families: Phytoseiidae (4 species), Ologamasidae (one species) and Ameroseiidae (one species).