Distribution of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley on four host plants with relation to certain abiotic, biotic factors and Chemical plant contents At Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

1 Department of Biological Control Research, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt

2 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Department of Agricultural Botany; Agriculture Faculty; Al-Azhar University.; Nasr City; Cairo, Egyp

Abstract

The Cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an important insect pest that attacks many economically important plants. The present study monitored the population dynamics of cotton mealybugs P. solenopsis on eggplant, okra, cotton and molokheya plants by conducting weekly sampling during 2022 and 2023 seasons. The results indicated that nymphs and adults of P. solenopsis attacked eggplants more than the other three host plants. The mealybug population was showing significant effect with max. temperature and predatory insects on eggplant during 2022 season. In 2023, a significant positive correlation was found with R.H, (r =0.551) and predators (r =0.811) with an Explained Variance (EV) of 44.5 % in 1st season and 68% in 2nd season. For okra plants, P. solenopsis showed significant positive correlation with R.H and predators. The highest infestation of P. solenopsis on eggplant plant was associated with highest total protein (18.73 mg/100 mg FW) and total carbohydrates (40.53mg/100mg FW). Whereas, the least infestation on cotton and molokheya plants was associated with least total protein 6.40 and 8.62 mg/100 mg FW respectively. The data included in this study lead to decide  suitable management practices during effective period for P. solenopsis on the four tested host plants.

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