Monitoring the Honeydew Moth, Cryptoblabes gnidiella Millière (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Pomegranate Orchards in the Northwestern Region of Egypt.

Abstract

Cryptoblabes gnidiella is a polyphagous serious species attacking fruits/pods, leaves and stems. C. gnidiella population level in a pomegranate orchard were studied during two successive years (2015 and 2016) at El-Alamain district in the Northwestern of Egypt (Matrouh Governorate). Moths started to emerge two weeks earlier in 2016 (1st half of March) than 2015 season (2nd half of March). Moths` activity continued until the 2nd half of November 2016 or 1st half of December 2015. Three peaks were detected during the 1st half of May, 1st half of July and 2nd half of August, 2015. But four peaks were detected during 2016 season on the 1st half of May, 2nd half of June, 1st half of August and 2nd half of September. Summer months recorded the maximum flight activity, (5.01 - 6.05 moths). Spring and autumn recorded 1.30 - 1.12 moths and 1.63 - 0.72 moths. During winter, moths almost ceased to emerge (0.02 - 0.06 moths). Data showed one brood of the insect activity from mid-March to late November, with only one distinct peak of moth activity during August. The seasonal cycle consisted of an activity season prevailing of about 9 months (from March to November) followed by an inactive season of about 3 months. The majority of moths emerged from the southeastern direction with the most preferred from the south (38.93 – 47.63%), east (40.40 – 40.43%), and least from west (10.64 - 12.62%) and North (1.30 – 8.05%) directions in two successive seasons 2015 and 2016. The direct effect “simple correlation: r” of the temperature (Day Maximum Temp., Day Minimum Temp. and Day Mean Temp.) on the moth activity was significant during the two seasons of study, while the Day Relative Humidity was less effective.