Population Density of Potato Tuber Moth, Phthoremaea operculella (Zeller) Lepidoptera : Gelechidae ) Infesting Potato Plants In The Field.

Abstract

The present study was conducted during 2014, 2105 and 2016 early summer seasons for potato ( kara, variety ) was performed under the field conditions , the experimental field was selected at a private farms at Shepa elnakaria village, Zagazig district and new Salhia, Hosinia district, Sharkia governorate. The present study aimed to study the impact of type soils (clay and sandy soil) on population density of P. operculella larvae infesting potato plants cultivated during 2014, 2015 and 2016 early summer seasons , evaluation infestation % to potato tubers and the effect of some climatic change on population density under field conditions. The statistical analysis of the total mean number of P. operculella larvae showed significant differentiation. The results show that the population density of P. operculella larvae was higher on sandy soil (518 individuals / 120 leaves) than the clay soil (332 individual / 120 leaves), These results revealed significant positive effects of maximum and minimum temperature and DP on population density of P. operculella during the first season 2014 in clay soil and sand soil . The combined effect (E.V) of these ecological factors on P. operculella showed that these factors were responsible as a group for 84 %, 15% and 35 % effects on the population density of P. operculella throughout seasons (2014, 2015 and 2016) in clay and sandy soil , also, these factors were responsible as a group for 72 %, 64% and 26 % effects on the population density.