Dipteran and coleopteran natural enemies associated with cantaloupe crop in Qalyubiya governorate, Egypt

Abstract EN

Studying diversity of natural enemies associated with their pests in agro ecosystems is urgent for the integrated pest management.

Two sampling techniques (i.e.

water traps (pit-fall traps) and direct count of insects in the field) were used to survey pests, natural enemies and pollinators on six cantaloupe cultivars in Qaha region of Qalyubiya Governorate, Egypt over 2006 and 2007 summer plantation seasons.

Thirty-two species belonging to two insects in Diptera and Coleoptera orders presented by 18 superfamilies and 23 families and 22 genera.

They were recorded on Ideal, E81-065, Mirella, Vicar, E81-013 and Magenta cantaloupe cultivars.

Diptera was represented by eighteen species belonging to 13 families (Sepsidae, Phoridae, Scenophilidae, Dolichpodidae, Otitidae, Agromyzidae, Ephydridae, Drosophilidae, Tachinidae, Anthomyiidae, Muscidae, Syrohidae and Cecidomyiidae).

Field observations indicated that Liriomyza trifolii (Burg), Agromyzidae infested cantaloupe leaves in moderate populations, while Melanogromyza cuntans (Meign) infested leaves in low populations.

The present study revealed that the parasite Tachina larvarum L.

(Tachinidae) and the predator Syrphus corolla F.

(Syrphidae) were found in low levels.

Pheanobremia aphidivora (Rubsaamen) (Cecidomyiidae) was observed in moderate populations on leaves.

However, other dipteran species were recorded in cantaloupe leaves at low levels.

Most coleopteran insects in the present survey were pests, however, others were predators such as Coccinella undecimpunctata, Coccinella septempunctata and Cydonia vicina (Coccinellidae), Paederus aliferii Koch.

(Staphylinidae) and Clasoma chlorostictum Deg.

(Carabidae).