Biological and ecological studies on some insect pests infesting solanaceous crops and associated natural enemies

Abd-Elatif, Amany Mordy Mohamed; Hendy, A. E.; Saeid, Saadia M.; Kandil, Mirvat A

doi:10.21608/mjapam.2024.348358

Biological and ecological studies on some insect pests infesting solanaceous crops and associated natural enemies

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Economic Entomology and Agricultural Zoology

² Prof. of Economic Entomology, Fac. of Agric., Menoufia Univ.

³ Prof. of Economic Insects, Fac. of Agric., Menoufia Univ.

⁴ Head of Research of Economic Entomology, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center

10.21608/mjapam.2024.348358

Abstract

Field studies were carried out from May to October during the two successive cotton seasons (2019, 2020 and 2021).
One site was chosen for this study, i.e. Shebin EL-Kom Menoufia governorate to represent Delta region. The chosen eggplant and pepper areas in the one location received all agricultural practices. One of the chosen areas was kept free of any insecticidal
Samples of infested leaves, flowers, pods and/or fruits were collected from eggplant and pepper, the different plants collected from the two plantations in locations, Menoufia, Governorate throughout the two seasons (2019, 2020 and 2021). The collection of the sample was kept in muslin bags and brought to the laboratory to be dissected and examined by naked eyes or by Binoklar.
Aphids typically appear at the early and end of the season. Although aphids are minor pests, they can affect eggplant production. These insects damage a different part of plant by injecting their sharp, hollow mouth parts into its tissue and sucking out the plant’s juices. Aphids can also spread plant viruses.
Samples of predators were collected from the previously mentioned location and throughout the two seasons (2019 and 2020 years) of study. The different immature stages of the collected predators by hand were put in glass jars (½ kg) covered with muslin kept in position by means of rubber bands. The jars were brought to the laboratory after that predators collected from the jars, then classified stages of predators (eggs, larvae and adult stages) placed with extra food of aphid and PBW eggs and different stages of larvae in glass jars covered with muslin kept in position by means of rubber bands, while the pupal stage individuals were placed in vials (10 × 3 cm²) until adult emergence, which were subsequently to identified.