FEEECT OF SOME CLIMATIC FACTORS ON THE SEASONAL ACTIVITY OF ORIENTAL WASP, VESPA ORIENTALIS L. ATTACKTING HONEYBEE COLONIES IN DAKAHLIA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Abstract

The Seasonal abundance of oriental wasp (Vespa orientalis L.) populations attacking honeybee colonies was investigated based on the number of trapped adults in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt, during 2010/2011 for one year. A wire screen traps were used for V. orientalis controlling in the apiary, using fermented sugar syrup- solution or honey as bait. Results revealed that V. orientalis queens were started to appear as observed from January to May 2011, with a peak of activity during May. V. orientalis workers were collected from June 2010 to February 2011, with a peak in October then November, respectively. A gradual decrease in V. orientalis numbers was observed during December 2010 and January 2011 and no oriental wasp individual was observed during March 2011. An average of 28.75 queens and 156.25 workers were collected during May 2011 and October 2011, respectively. Correlation study revealed that there was significant positive correlation between the wasps' population and average temperature (r=0.137). Also, significant positive correlation between the wasps' population and average humidity (r=0.560) was observed. In addition, negative correlation was noticed between the wasps' population and average wind speed (r=0.549) during the experimental period. Its recommended using fermented sugar syrup or honey as bait for captured the oriental hornet queens and for captured the oriental hornet workers using bait consists of (fermented honey with little brower yeast and grape syrup). Key words: Honeybees. Predators. Vespa orientalis. Seasonal abundance. Climatic factors.