Insect pests of spring wheat in Central Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Insect pests of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L., cultivar Yecorah Rojo) in Central Saudi Arabia (Gassim Region) were surveyed using light traps, sweet nets and direct counts during the seasons 1986/87 and 1987/88, in 50 and eight randomly selected wheat fields, respectively. In presowing surveys, 25 potential wheat pests in 11 families and six insect orders were recorded, including three noctuids recorded for the first time in Arabia. Post-sowing surveys confirmed Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), Rhopalosiphum padi (Fitch.) and a new species of cereal leafminer in the genus Agromyza as major pests of wheat in the area. The latter pest dominated during the seedling stage, while the former two peaked after booting. Thirty-eight potential wheat pests in 14 families and eight insect orders are reported.