Comparative Studies on the Seasonal Activity of Eublemma gayneri (Roth.) and their Natural Enemies as a New Guest on Mango Trees in Neglected and Commercial Orchards

Abstract

In the present study, the semi-lopper worm (SLW), Eublemma gayneri (Roth.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was recorded attacking mango inflorescence for the first time in Egypt. It exhibited three peaks of seasonal abundance annually. The anthocord predator, Orius sp. was mainly associated with E. gayneri population during the both years of investigation.The obtained data during the two years of study revealed that the larvae of E. gayneri were found to be parasitized by only one endo-parasitoid species namely; Wohlfahrtia sp. (belonging to Order: Diptera, Family: Sarcophagidae). The parasitoid was recorded for the first time in Egypt on semi-lopper worm larvae. This parasitoid was recorded in the neglected orchard with relatively high numbers; while, it was rarely recorded in the commercial orchard. In addition, the anthocord predator, Orius sp. was mainly associated with E. gayneri population during the both years of investigation, especially in mango orchard without chemical treatments.Generally,the obtained results obviously illustrated that insecticides treatments exhibited an adverse effect on the parasitoid, Wohlfahrtia sp. and the predator, Orius sp. populations.