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The leaf miners, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) and L. bryoniae (Kaltenbch), (Diptera: Agromyzidae) are of the major pests that attack faba bean (Vicia faba) in Egypt. The incidence of diapause in larval-pupal parasitoids of these pests was studied by large-scale field samplings of their mature larvae and puparia, which were reared under natural outdoor conditions. The population size of L. trifolii was greater than those of L.bryoniae. Four larval-pupal parasitoids; Pseudopzomachus masii Nixon and Opius basalis Fischer (Braconidae), Halticoptera circulus (Walker) and Halticoptera sp. (Eulophidae) were recorded from the puparia of both leaf miner species between 2012 - 2015 seasons. P. masii was the most predominant parasitoid species in the seasons of study. The onset of pupal diapause was found among paper of the 1st sample, during the favorable weather conditions in the host insect until last collected samples 2 weeks before harvest. So, the diapause in Liriomyza spp. seems to be genetically programmed. Two types of diapause were observed during the season: firstly, a facultative winter diapause of 7-8 months, and secondly, a longer winter diapause of 11-21 months. The diapause intensity was highly variable depended upon the time in the season and the Liriomyza species. It appears that the diapaused wasps were able to maintain close developmental synchrony with the proportion of non-parasitized host puparia. This is the first report of diapause in Liriomyza spp. attacking faba bean plants and their larval-pupal parasitoids from the northern region of Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field trial was conducted at El-Shourouk Farm, El-Beheira governorate, Egypt to determine the effectiveness of the commercial bio-product Dbx 1003, 20% containing the nematode-trapping fungus, Dactylaria brochopaga against rootknot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infesting grapevine variety Superior. Its effects on plant growth criteria and yield production were also investigated. The fungus was introduced to soil by either of two ways; soil was drenched with spore suspension at the rate of 3L/tree and ½ kg of a vermiculite substrate, as a carrier of spores and mycelia, was added around each tree, both as single and twice applications in autumn and spring. All treatments significantly (p ⩽ 0.05) reduced M. incognita 2nd instar juvenile in the soil and number of root galls compared to the untreated control. Significant yield increases were recorded at all treatments. Twice applications of spores' suspension gave highest yield production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepidopteran date palm fruit pests and their associated parasitoid and predatory species were surveyed in two localities, Ireghin and Hakuk, Siwa Oasis, Egypt, during the two successive years 2012 and 2013. Five insect pest species were recorded, i.e., Arenipses sabella Hampson (Pyralidae), Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick (Cosmpterigidae), Ephestia cautella Walker, E. calidella Guenee and Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Pyralidae). Three predatory species; Chrysoperla carnea (Steph) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae); Orius spp. and Xylocoris flavipes Reuter (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) were found associated with the pests in date orchards. Respective average infestation percentages with these pests in 2012 and 2013 were (5.8, 8.27%) in bunch dates and (79.82, 88.89%) in fallen dates at Ireghin, while in Hakuk, they were (6.23, 8.48%) in bunch date and (83.93, 87.86) in fallen dates. Only one parasitoid species Bracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), was recorded during the study. Percentages of parasitism averaged (6.10 and 9.97%) at Ireghin and (6.10, 6.93%) at Hakuk during the two seasons, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to isolate and identify native entomopathogenic fungi from different locations at South Sinai governorate, Egypt and to evaluate their virulence against the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in comparison with other native entomopathogenic fungi. A new native Metarhizium strain was isolated from the examined soil and micromorphologicaly identified as M. anisopliae, using light and scanning electron microscope. Virulence of the new native M. anisopliae isolate (SSMa-1) was evaluated with comparison to the M. anisopliae isolate, obtained from the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliver) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), against larvae of the greater wax moth. Entomopathogenicity tests showed a significant decrease in egg hatchability with both M. anisopliae strains. SSMa-1 isolate was more potent (100% mortality at 1x108 viable conidia) comparing to Kalub-3 isolate which showed moderate pathogenicity (54% mortality at 1x108 viable conidia) against the test insect. SSMa-1 at 1x106 and 1x107 viable conidia recorded 78 and 90% mortality rates, respectively after 12 days, while Kalub-3 isolate recorded 30 and 50% after the same period. Moreover, SSM-1 showed the lowest LT50 values (4.47, 5.88, 7.34 days) with different suspension concentrations (1x108, 1x107 and 1x106 viable conidia). However, Kalub-3 isolate had a LT50 value of 10.22 days at the highest tested concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]