No abstract

The efficacy of a bio compound, Protecto (Bacillus thuringiensis) and botanicals extract (mixture of ginger, garlic, hot red pepper extracts and aloe vera) either in combination with Trichogramma  evanescens releases or alone was evaluated in comparison to an insecticide, Uphold 36% SC (Methoxyfenozide/ Spinetoram) on Pieris rapae on cauliflower Brassica oleracea. Field experiments were conducted at Atfih District, Giza Governorate, Egypt in September 2020 and October 2021. Results revealed that, all the tested compounds combined with Trichogramma releases were more effective in reducing P. rapae population than when used alone. B. thuringiensis with Trichogramma releases caused 96.91% and 95.32% reduction in larval population in 2020 and 2021 respectively while the reduction in Pieris pupal pupation was 70.87% and 71.59% respectively during these two trials. Similar results were observed with botanical extracts. Parasitization by T. evanescens ranged between 91.95-92.77% in the plots sprayed with bio- and natural compounds during the trials in two years. Meanwhile, the insecticide treatment was the least effective in reducing P. rapae population (37.85% and 47.85% respectively). It could be concluded that either B. thuringiensis or the botanicals extract could be integrated with T. evanescens releases for the sustainable production of Cauliflower.

No abstract

Peach Fruit Fly (PFF) Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) and of the Mediterranean fruit fly (MFF) Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) are the most of dominant and destructive key pests in fruit orchards in different agro-ecosystem in Egypt. Population fluctuations of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and the peach fly Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) was monitored with lure traps collections in three provinces in the New Valley oases, Western Desert, Egypt. Results showed marked temporal differences in peak trap catches of the two flies in the selected sites all over the entire studied areas. One annual peak of C. capitata was recorded during both October and February and coincided with the ripening period of citrus trees in Kharga oases. However, two annual peaks were recorded during June and September in Bodkholow province and coincided with the ripening period of apple and mango. On the other hand, two annual peaks of B. zonata were recorded in Kharga oases throughout May and September and coincided with the ripening periods of apricot, mango and guava. One annual peak only was recorded round up of September and/or October in both of Moot and Bodkholow in Dakhla oases and coincided with the ripening period of mango, guava and citrus. Occurrence of C. capitata was very limited in comparison with B. zonata. Population fluctuations of the two pests in the studied sites were significantly different. The ability of the used traps in capturing both of C. capitata and B. zonata indicated that the yellow sticky trap was more effective in capturing C. capitata. However, Abdel-Kawi trap was significantly efficient in trapping B. zonata. Occurrence of B. zontata in high numbers all over the study period than C. capitata is considered as a good proof that this invading fly may be consider a vigor competitive tephritid fly to the native fly C. capitata.

The present work has been conducted through a project for biological control of olive pests in Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia Kingdom. (Steinernema spp., SAK1 isolate), (Ord. Rhabditida: Fam. Steinernematidae) and (Heterorhabditis spp., SAK2 and SAK3 isolates), (Ord. Rhabditida: Fam. Heterorhabditidae) were applied in soil around trunks of olive trees. Successive soil samples were tested for persistence and their virulence to larvae and pupae of Zeuzera pyrina L; where it is attacking olive trees and strongly considered one of the most dangerous pests. Heterorhabditis spp., SAK2 and SAK3 isolates achieved 100 % mortality to larvae and pupae of Z. pyrina at the second day, where mortality gradually decreased to 22.2 and 11.1 % after 16 days for both larvae and pupae, respectively. Steinernema spp., SAK1 isolate was less virulent, it caused 88.9 and 50.5 % mortality after two days and no mortality achieved after 16 days for both larvae and pupae of Z. pyrina, respectively. After two and four days, mortality due to the fungus is 66.7 and 44.4 %, respectively, where no mortality achieved after 8 and 16 days for both larvae and pupae of Z. pyrina, respectively. On the other hand, applying nematodes either via spraying or injection in olive branches infested with Zeuzera pyrina larvae and /or pupae caused 100% control to the insect stages inside the branches within seven days.