Abstract
The seasonal activity of the pine scale, Leucaspis pusilla Low (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) was conducted for two successive years (Mar., 2009 - mid-Feb., 2011) on Aleppo pine trees (Pinus halepensis) (Pinales: Pinaceae) cultivated at International Center For Training and Development at ElAmriya district, Alexandria Governorate. The obtained results revealed that, L. pusilla has two overlapping generations a year on Aleppo pine trees occurred in spring and autumn seasons. The insect population reached its maximum activity during May and October/November, peaked during May in the 1 st generation and October/ November in the 2 nd one. The shortest generation occurred in spring with duration of 5.5 months at 21.3 - 22.3oC and 64.7 - 69.5%R.H. whereas the longest one occurred in autumn with duration of 7 months at 21oC & 66.4 - 67.6%R.H. The autumn generation is the largest one (495.5 - 557.4 insects) and spring generation is smaller one (336.7 - 360.6 insects). On the other hand, the insect population reached to minimum numbers in summer season. The tested climatic factors (daily mean max. and min. temperatures as well as R.H.%) showed significant effect on the insect population in the both generations in the two years, the changes in the half monthly counts of nymph and adult populations referred to the combined effect of the tested climatic factors on the insect population in the 1 st generation (spring generation) were 56.9 - 57.2% for nymphal stage; 53.7 - 65.3 for adult stage and 56.4 - 61.0% for insect population (nymph and adult) in the two years, respectively. In the 2 nd generation (autumn generation) were 73.6 - 73.8% for nymphal stage; 62.4 -72.7% for adult stage and 70.7 -73.9%for insect population (nymph and adults) in the two years, respectively.
Highlights
The pine scale, Leucaspis pusilla Löw (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) was recorded for the first time in Egypt on Aleppo pine trees in 1922 (Hall, 1922)
In Egypt, few taxonomic studies were carried on L. pusilla (Ezzat,1958 ; Mohammed and Ghabbour, 2008) and up to now no further studied were recorded on its bionomics, this may be refers to rareness of its host plants which cultivated only with view numbers as ornamental plants or refers to unsuitable environmental conditions
The present work was conducted to study the seasonal activity of the pine scale, Leucaspis pusilla on Aleppo pine trees (Pinus halepensis); number and duration of annual field generations and effect of certain climatic factors on its activity to design an integrated pest management program for its control
Summary
The pine scale, Leucaspis pusilla Löw (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) was recorded for the first time in Egypt on Aleppo pine trees in 1922 (Hall, 1922). M2) were cultivated with Aleppo pine trees at Horticulture Research Institute Farm at ElNubaria district, Behaira Governorate specially the Pinus halepensis Mill which is the. Badr (2014) found L .pusilla more dominant on the ornamental trees, especially Aleppo pine trees (Pinus halepensis) in Alexandria Governorate, it appears with high frequency and high density on pine trees in Alexandria, Behaira and North Coast. The present work was conducted to study the seasonal activity of the pine scale, Leucaspis pusilla on Aleppo pine trees (Pinus halepensis); number and duration of annual field generations and effect of certain climatic factors on its activity to design an integrated pest management program for its control
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