Aphids are the most important pests on wheat in Egypt and worldwide. Field trials were conducted to assess the efficacy of the neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid (Nufidor 60% FS; at the doses of 2. 1, 1.05 and 0.525 g a.i./kg of seeds) and thiamethoxam (Cruiser 70% WS; at the rates of 14.4, 7.2 and 3.6 g a.i./kg of seeds) as seed treatments, and thiamethoxam (Actara 25% WG; at the rates of 0. 1, 0.05 and 0.025 g a.i./l) as foliar application, against three wheat aphids: bird cherry oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), and corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch). Their effects on the aphids' natural enemies: lacewings, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens, ladybird beetles, Coccinella spp., and syrphid flies Syrphus spp. were assessed as well. The trials were conducted on the farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia Governorate, during 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. Our results showed significant differences between the tested insecticides at all concentrations and clearly indicated that the recommended doses of all insecticides were more efficient against aphids on wheat plants than half-and quarter-doses. Also, the data revealed significant differences between the two seed treatments at all doses before and after foliar application, as compared to the control at all time intervals of inspection regarding the mean number of aphids on wheat plants, from the 3 rd until 13 th week after sowing, except in the 8 th week after seed treatment before foliar application. The results clearly indicated that the weekly reduction of infestation and the general efficacy was higher at the recommended doses of Nufidor, Cruiser and Actara than the half and quarter doses in both seasons. Also, reduction in infestation decreased over the following weeks until the 8 th week, when Actara insecticide was sprayed. Data revealed that there were no significant differences between treatments and control in the mean number of Chrysoperla carnea and Syrphus spp., while a significant difference in the mean number of coccinellids was observed on wheat plants treated with imidacloprid seed treatment before foliar application 6 and 7 weeks after sowing, and also after foliar application with thiamethoxam 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 weeks after sowing. Regarding thiamethoxam seed treatment, significant differences were revealed in the ladybird population on wheat plants 3, 4, 7 and 8 weeks before foliar application, and only in the 10 th week after spraying with thiamethoxam.

The livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) vulnerability index (IPCC-VI) approaches were used to assess the vulnerability of rural and urban regions of Sudr, Sinai, Egypt to climate change. Sudr is highly vulnerable to flashfloods and drought, that many attribute to climate changes. Equal numbers of rural and urban Bedouin, amounting to about 75–90 of each, were interviewed to collect information on human and natural capital, besides social, financial, and physical attributes. The study showed that drought is the most significant manifestation of climate change, especially in rural areas. The study also showed that rural Sudr community is significantly more vulnerable to climate change than the urban community. Their isolation, illiteracy, lack of awareness, and fragile ecosystem are causes of vulnerability. The two regions showed high capabilities to overcome exposure threats to climate change. Adequate adaptive capacity of Bedouin is the main cause for their ability to overcome climate change impacts. These results might be explained in view of Bedouin local knowledge that helps them survive even through the hardest of times. The aim of the present work is to explore the socioeconomic drivers of climate change and their impacts on a Bedouin community. It also gives an insight into possible mechanisms of future adaptation strategies.

Two mulberry varieties, the cultivated variety, Morus alba var. Morittiana and the wild variety, M. laevigata, grafted on M. alba branches were investigated to assess the effect of their nutritional components on larval haemolymph biochemical constituents and economic traits of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Results indicated that there were significant differences (p≤ 0.05) between the two tested mulberry varieties leaves in their nutritional composition. Protein content, free amino acids and nitrogen were significantly higher in the cultivated variety M. alba var. Morittiana, while reducing sugars content was significantly higher in M. laevigata with no significant differences between both varieties. Interestingly, total proteins and total carbohydrates were significantly high in haemolymph of larvae fed on M. laevigata leaves, while free amino acids were significantly high in haemolymph of larvae fed on M. alba var. Morittiana leaves, no significant difference was registered between total lipids content in haemolymph of larvae fed on both mulberry varieties. There were no significant differences between male full grown larvae fed on both mulberry varieties, while female full grown larvae weights were significantly high in larvae fed on M. laevigata leaves. No significant differences were found between cocoon incidences produced from larvae fed on the both mulberry varieties.

Diseases infecting silkworms cause 30-40% cocoon crop loss. The silkworm, Bombyx mori L. defense against pathogens is provided by open circulatory system through humoral and cellular response. Three mulberry varieties, Morus alba var. Rosa, M. alba var. Morittiana and M. alba var. Laevigata, were used to study the effect of host plant and bacterial contagious infection on the humoral immune of B. mori larvae. The specific activity of related enzymes in haemolymph of fifth instar larvae was estimated. Results indicated that mulberry varieties and bacterial contagious infection had significant effects on enzymes activity values in larval haemolymph. Moreover, M. alba var. laevigata was superior in the humoral immune response.

Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to determine the protein profiles of two mulberry variety leaves: the cultivated Morus alba var. Morittiana and the wild one Morus laevigata and their effects on haemolymph and silkgland protein patterns in final larval instar of silkworm Bombyx mori L. Results showed some differences in the number and abundance of protein bands in the two studied mulberry variety leaves as they were 5 bands in Morus alba var. Morittiana ranged between (47.27-344.47 kDa), while, were 10 bands in Morus laevigata leaves ranged between (17.79-350.11 kDa). However there were close similarity in haemolymph and silkgland protein patterns of larvae fed on the both studied mulberry varieties, which registrad 12 protein band in haemolymph and 15 protein bands in silkgland of larvae fed on the two mulberry varities.