Identifying and monitoring emerging cicada pests and their parasitoids in Acacia crassicarpa plantations in Sumatra for sustainable control

This study was conducted during the period April 2009 to March 2010 in the Northern Governorate, Kingdom of Bahrain, to study the effect of treated sewage water on major alfalfa pests (aphids, leafhopper and plant bugs) and their natural enemies. The study was conducted on six farms, three irrigated by groundwater in the villages of Karranah, Jannusan and Jasra and three irrigated with treated sewage effluent in the villages of Dumistan, Elsahala and Abu Saiba. Insect samples were collected every ten days from five replicates using the standard sweeping net procedure to estimate the numbers of the above insects and their natural enemies. Pitfall traps were used to collect soft dwelling natural enemies. The results showed that irrigating alfalfa with treated sewage water led to a significant increase in population density of aphids and that the groundwater used for irrigation has led to a significant increase in the number of leafhoppers and plant bugs. As for natural enemies, Geocorissp, Dereaocorispallns were significantly increased in alfalfa plants irrigated by ground water, while Coccinella beetles significantly increased in numbers in alfalfa irrigated with treated sewage water Damselbug, aphids lions, ground beetle, tiger beetles, earwigs were not significantly affected by the type of water used. Regarding the seasonal activity of insects, leafhoppers, aphids,and plant bugs, results showed that the highest density of aphids was occurred during the second and third week of December and first week of January, leafhoppers in the second week of December and third week of February, and Plant bug in the second week of October. The activity of seasonal natural enemies had registered the highest density of Geocorissp during the first and third weeks of August. Coccinella beetles showed highest density during the second week of March, while Damselbugs highest density was noted in the fourth week of December and the first week of January. Aphid lions were most active during the fourth week of December and second week of February, whereas the predator Dereaocoris pallens was active during the third week of May and first week of July and ground beetles active during the first weekof May and the fourth week of July through first week of August. Cutting of alfalfa fields more frequent in activity period is a suggested tactic for the management of this pest, as IPM programs designed by the seasonal activity of the pest.

Towards a biased mindset: An extended Theory of Planned Behaviour framework to predict farmers’ intention to adopt a sustainable mange control approach

Afield study was carried out at the experimental farm of Sakha Agricultural Research station , Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt during two seasons 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. The highest peak of abundance ofL. huidobrensis total larvae on Pisum sativum plants recorded in the third week of December 2015 and represented by 62 larvae /100 leaflets. The highest peak for healthy larvae found in the third week of March 2016 and represented by 51 larvae. While the highest peak of abundance for the parasitized L. huidobrensis larvae by D. isaea found in the second week of January 2016 and represented by16 larvae. and unknown larval mortality recorded in the fourth week of December 2015 and represented by 11 larvae. The average number of the total larvae, healthy larvae, parasitized larvae by D. iseae and unknown larval mortality were recorded with an average of 27.3 ±1.7, 30.4 ±1.7, 4.1 ±0.11 and 3.5 ±0.6 larvae, respectively. The average percentage of the healthy larvae recorded 73.3% and the average percentage of parasitism caused by D. isaea was 14.5% while, the percentage of unknown larval mortality recorded 9.6% during the first season 2015/16. The highest peak of abundance ofL. huidobrensis total larvae on Pisum sativum plants recorded in the second week of January 2017 and represented by 70 larvae /100 leaflets. The highest peak for healthy larvae found in the third week of December 2016 and represented by 41 larvae. While the highest peak of abundance for the parasitized L. huidobrensis larvae by D. isaea found in the second week of January and represented by 16 larvae. and unknown larval mortality recorded in the second week of January 2017 and represented by 21 larvae. The monthly average number of the total larvae, healthy larvae, parasitized larvae by D. iseae un known larval mortality were recorded with an average 28, 18.4, 2.9 and 6.6, respectively. The average percentage of the healthy larvae recorded 76.2% and the average percentage of parasitism caused by D. isaea was 6.6% while, the percentage of unknown larval mortality recorded 17.3% during the second season 2016/17.

Is there hope for sustainable management of golden apple snails, a major invasive pest in irrigated rice?

Field experiments were carried out at Qaha, Qalyubiya Governorate, throughout 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons to study population fluctuations of Aphis craccivora (Koch) and Aphis fabae Scopoli infesting broad bean plantations, and two associated predators addition, effects of certain weather factors (daily mean temperatures and daily mean R.H.). A. craccivora had two peaks both seasons (1st week of December and 3rd week of January) and (1st week of December and 1st week of January) in the 1st and 2nd seasons respectively. A. faba showed three peaks in 1st season (2nd week of December, last week of December and 1st week of March). while 2 peaks in the second season (1st week of December. and end of December.) Population fluctuations of A. craccivora and A. faba and associated predators were higher in the 1st season than the second season and C. undcimpunctata was dominant than C. carneaea. A simple correlation between A. craccivora and C. undcimpunctata showed a significant positive correlation in both seasons while with C. carneaea was insignificant negative in the 1st season and positive in the 2nd season, and the relationship between A. fabae was negative in both seasons with the two predators. The relationship between A. craccivora and daily mean temperature show negative insignificant relation during the 1st season while was significant in the 2nd season. Also, the simple correlation with A. fabe was insignificant negative in both seasons .as well as A. craccivora and A. fabe showed the insignificant positive value in both seasons with relative humidity.

BackgroundThe current experiment was done during the 2018 and 2019 seasons on ‘Ewais’ mango trees (Mangifera indica) grown in Research Station, El-Nubaria district, Egypt, to study the impact of spraying ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and irrigation time on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality. All experimental plants have been received the same care, i.e. control of pests & weeds, fertilization, and irrigation until the 1st week of October. The irrigation was adapted to apply 5m3/feddan (4200 m2)/week to control leaves damage due to low temperature after this period and the treatments included: (T1) Water spraying at 1st week of November + start normal irrigation program at the same time after four weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan (4200 m2)/week (Control). (T2) Spraying with NH4NO3 2% at 1st week of November + start normal irrigation program at the same time after four weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan /week. (T3) Spraying NH4NO3 2% at 1st week of November + start normal irrigation program at 1st week of December after eight weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan/week. (T4) Spraying NH4NO3 2% at 1st week of November + start normal irrigation program at 1st week of January after twelve weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan/week. All treatments received the same quantity of irrigation water, approximately 4000 m3/feddan/year.ResultsAll treatments (T2, T3 & T4) had a significant influence on vegetative growth, fruiting behavior (fruit set % & the yield), and the fruit quality compared with the control (T1). The significant was not only the fruit physical characteristics (weight, dimensions, volume, and specific gravity) but also the fruit chemical characteristics (total soluble solids % (T.S.S.), acidity %, T.S.S / acid ratio and vitamin C (L- ascorbic acid)).ConclusionSpraying NH4NO3 2% at 1st week of November plus start normal irrigation program at 1st week of November or December or January after 4 or 8 or 12 weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan (4200 m2)/week (T2, T3, and T4) increased the vegetative growth, i.e. length of terminal shoots, No. leaves / terminal shoots & leaf area as well as the fruiting behavior such as fruit set percentage, No. fruits per tree & the tree production (kg/tree) and improved the fruit characteristics not only the fruit physical parameters but also the chemical properties in comparing with the untreated trees. During the two seasons, spraying NH4NO3 2% at 1st week of November plus start normal irrigation program at 1st week of January after 12 weeks of adapted irrigation as 5m3/feddan/week (T4) is recommended since; it is the only treatment with the superiority effect on studied parameters.

The population trend of black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) and its larval parasitoid, Blepharella lateralis Macquart in chickpea was studied at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Shillongani, Assam during rabi, 2018-19 and 2019-20. Larval population of A. ipsilon first appeared in the fourth week of November, 2018and second week of December, 2019. The population showed a steady increase and reached a peak (13.80 no. of larvae/sqm and 8.80 no. of larvae/sqm) in third week of January in 2019 and fourth week of January in 2020, respectively. Later it showed a declining trend till harvest. The activity of B. lateralis commenced from the third week of December in 2018 and second week of December in 2019 and continued till the early part of March in both the cropping seasons. The extent of natural parasitism by B. lateralis varied from 2.10-31.20 percent in 2018-19 and 1.20-26.30 percent in 2019-20. Maximum parasitism (31.20 and 26.30 percent) occurred during the fourth week of January in both the study years. The parasitism increased with the increase in population of A. ipsilon larvae and fairly synchronized with the latter’s maximum population. Significant positive correlation was evident between the host population and the parasitism by B. lateralis. Multiple regression analysis also revealed that A. ipsilon population was influenced by B. lateralis. Among the abiotic factors, maximum temperature showed significant negative correlations with the host population. Multiple regression analysis of various abiotic factors with the population of A. ipsilon showed 74.0-83.0 percent relationship with the cutworm population.

In the Netherlands every year flower bulbs and perennials are produced representing a value of € 500 m (flower bulbs) and of € 65 m (perennials, 2004). The growers are faced with several threatening pests and diseases during the production. They usually deal with these problems by using pesticides. In 2004 the Ministry of Agriculture and the stakeholders in Agribusiness made an agreement on reducing the environmental impact of pesticides by developing and implementing knowledge on Integrated Crop Protection. As a result growers were expected to control pest and disease problems using effective and sustainable solutions. Sustainable control methods have been developed to control the plural problems the growers encounter during the production and postharvest phase of flower bulbs and perennials. These methods include using clean plant material, decision support systems, pesticides with a low environmental risk, biocontrol agents, natural enemies, pesticide emission reducing techniques, methods for manipulating soil health, etc. These methods were tested not only under experimental conditions at the Applied Plant Research Centre (PPO) Lisse but also under practical conditions at farmers. In this way methods were evaluated for their robustness under different situations (location, farm size, climate conditions). Several examples of the development of preventive and control methods and how they can be applied in integrated crop protection strategies and should be implemented in practice are discussed.

The study was conducted in the poplar field belonging to the Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Mosul in the autumn season of 2018-2019, where it was found that the leaves of the Euphrates poplar have more than one type of insect that infects the leaves, including Egerirotriaza cardi (Berg.) (Psyllidae, Homoptera) poplar leaves, this was evidenced by the symptoms of the infection it causes, which are spotting and galls. The highest infection was recorded in the first week of January 2019, with an average of (70.71) symptoms reported, and the highest average infection was recorded on the eastern side with an average of (41.23) symptoms, although the study showed the highest average of the spots resulting from the infection reached (95.33) spot recorded in the first week of January 2019, on the upper and lower surface of leaves on the western side of the tree, while the highest average of (26.33) galls was recorded on the upper surface of the leaf from the southern side in the last week of January 2019, on the upper and lower surface of the leaves and on the western side of the tree, while the highest average of (26.33) galls was recorded on the upper surface of the leaf from the southern side in the last week of January 2019, where the study showed that there is a negative significant correlation between the temperatures of that autumn season with The insect numerical density (-0.747) at a significant level (p<.0001), this is due to the low temperatures for the period from 4/12/2018 to 23/1/2019, which ranged between (13.8 - 7.11 ° C), while the relative humidity averages did not have a significant correlation with the insect's numerical density, which ranged between (51.43 - 61.14%).

Investigations were carried out on population dynamics of major insect pests on niger ( Guizotia abyssinica L.) at College Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during winter 2011-12. For the purpose, 20 plants were randomly selected from an experimental area of 20×20 m. Observations were recorded at weekly interval. For recording the population of aphid ( Uroleucon compositae ), jassid ( Amrasca biguttula biguttula ), and whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci ), three leaves from top, middle and bottom portion of the randomly selected plants were critically observed and number of aphids, jassids and whiteflies were counted and population per leaf was worked out. The data on population of sucking pests was correlated with weather parameters viz. , maximum, minimum and average temperature, morning, evening and average humidity, sunshine hours, wind velocity and evaporation. The results revealed that the incidence of sucking pests viz. , aphid, Uroleucon compositae (Theobald) started from second week of December which reached peak (63.20 aphids/leaf) during first week of February. The incidence of jassid, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) started from second week of December with a peak (8.52 jassids/ leaf) during fourth week of January and thereafter, steadily declined and finally disappeared. Whereas, whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) started from second week of December with a maximum level during (14.56 whiteflies/leaf) fourth week of January. Among various weather parameters viz. , maximum, minimum and average temperature had highly significant negative influence on the population of all the major sucking insect pests of niger.

A field trial was conducted to study the impact of various potato germplasm against aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Aphis gossypii Glover (Aphididae: Hemiptera) during rabi season from November to March in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014, respectively at Adisaptagram Block Seed Farm, Hooghly, West Bengal. The population of aphids was started on potato crop in between third week of December and first week of January irrespective of various germplasms, except K. Chipsona-2, where its infestation was initiated during second and third week of January. Then, their population was gradually increased to reach its critical level (ETL) during first and second week of January in most of the potato germplasm, except in K. Anand, K. Chipsona-1, K. Chipsona-2 and Sailaja, where it was crossed in between fourth week of January and first week of February. The peak population of aphids was observed during third and fourth week of February in most of the potato germplasm. It was observed that K. Ashoka, K. Badshah, K. Chandramukhi, K. Jawahar, K. Jyoti and K. Pukhraj were highly susceptible to the pests, while K. Anand and K. Sutlez were moderately susceptible but K. Chipsona-1 , K. Chipsona-2 and K. Sailaja were less susceptible or tolerant to the pests. Maximum tuber yield (t/ha) of potato was recorded in K. Badshah (36.58 - 43.92) while it was lowest in K. Chandramukhi (22.08 - 22.12).

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is grown worldwide in two different groups namely Asian and European. However the seed production of European cultivars is not possible in tropical and sub-tropical areas with less chilling period. The present study was planned to find the suitable areas in Punjab near foothills of Himalaya for seed production of European cultivars. Therefore fifteen carrot genotypes stecklings were transplanted in three dates of sowing i.e. first week of December, first week of January and first week of February at two locations of Punjab namely Ludhiana and Langroya. Seed yield traits like number of branches, number of seeds per plant, seed weight per plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield per hectare were recorded. Combined analysis of variance showed highly significant differences for GE (genotype?environment) interaction indicating the possibility of stable genotypes. Seed production was better in location Langroya and better than location Ludhiana. Most of the genotypes showed stable performance with regard to seed yield and yield parameters in first week of December and first week of January by GGE Biplot. Number of branches were significantly higher in genotype Pusa Meghali which was statistically at par with P-3, PCO-4. Similarly PCO-4 showed maximum number of seeds per plant and PCO-6 showed the highest seed weight per plant and 100 seed weight. Moreover, seed yield per hectare for genotypes PCO-4, PCO-6 was significantly higher than other genotypes. The study showed that European cultivars of carrot i.e. Pusa Meghali, PCO-4 and PCO-6 cultivars can produce seed in submontaneous zones of Punjab.

The olive fly (Bactrocera oleae, OLF) is a major pest of global significance that occurs in places where olive cultivation thrives. This paper highlights the economic and environmental damage caused by OLF infestations, including reduced olive oil yield and quality, disrupted supply chains, and ecosystem imbalances due to heavy insecticide use. Understanding olive fly ecology is crucial for developing effective control strategies. The review explores the fly's life cycle, its relationship with olive trees, and how environmental factors like temperature and humidity influence population dynamics. Additionally, studying the role of natural enemies and agricultural practices can pave the way for sustainable control methods that minimize environmental harm. Climate change, intensive cultivation, and the development of resistance to insecticides necessitate a shift towards sustainable practices. This includes exploring alternative control methods like biological control with natural enemies and attract-and-kill strategies. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of OLF ecology, including its response to temperature and its ability to find refuge in diverse landscapes, is critical for predicting outbreaks and implementing effective protection strategies. By employing a holistic approach that integrates ecological knowledge with sustainable control methods, we can ensure the continued viability of olive cultivation, protect the environment, and produce high-quality olive oil.

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata as Biological Control agent of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata: biotic and abiotic factors affecting its implementation in citrus crops of the Mediterranean basin

Soil microbiota impact on Boletus edulis mycelium in chestnut orchards of different ages